Alec Baldwin has divided social media users after sharing an "inappropriate" Instagram post in memory of Halyna Hutchins - the cinematographer who was killed on the set of his movie Rust.
Yesterday (October 21), marked the one-year anniversary of Hutchins' death, after a prop gun held by Baldwin discharged and fatally shot her.
Despite claiming he did not pull the trigger, the 64-year-old Hollywood star came under investigation for the cinematographer's death, and an FBI report released in August disputed his claims that he did not pull the trigger on the prop weapon.
Even with the renewed interest in the case, Baldwin clearly felt it was appropriate for him to pay tribute to Hutchins' passing in an Instagram post of her behind the camera captioned: "One year ago today…"
Evidently, many people did not feel the post was appropriate. Many took to the comments section to slam the Boss Baby star's post as "inappropriate".
"This feels really inappropriate since you’re the one who shot and killed her," one person wrote. Another added: "Is this not incredibly tone deaf to anyone else? Especially because he denies doing it?"
"If I was her family, you’re the last person I’d want posting about her," chimed in a third, while a fourth commented: "Little insensitive to post this I think."
However, others leaped to the actor's defense, offering him their sympathies and arguing that he too was a "victim" of the terrible accident.
"We light one candle for Halyna and one candle for you [because] you are a victim of this all too," one person commented. "Thinking of you all, her family, the Rust family, and all those affected by this tragedy," another wrote, while a third added: "So sad for all involved."
"No one will ever know the impact this had/has on you. People are so mean-spirited to lash out at you. As if this isn't unbearable enough. I hope you can find some sort of peace in your day today," wrote a fourth.
Earlier this week, Variety reported that Rust would resume filming in January 2023. The cast and crew will not return to their original set in New Mexico, where an investigation into Hutchins' death is still ongoing.
Hutchins' family agreed to a settlement with the production company behind the film on October 5. The late cinematographer's widower Michael Hutchins said in a statement that completing the film would be a way "to pay tribute to Halyna's final work."