Film & TV2 min(s) read
Published 11:06 26 Oct 2021 GMT
'Rust' assistant director who handed Alec Baldwin gun was reportedly fired from 2019 movie after gun discharged on set
The assistant director of Rust who handed Alec Baldwin the prop gun that ultimately ended the life of a cinematographer was reportedly fired from a movie in 2019 after a gun expectedly discharged on set.
Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old mother-of-one, died after the 30 Rock star accidentally shot her in the chest while rehearsing for a scene in the upcoming Western film. The director of the movie, Joel Souza, was injured in the shooting.
Now, an unnamed producer on the yet-to-be-released movie Freedom's Path has told NBC News and Deadline that David Halls, the assistant director on Rust, was fired from Freedom's Path in 2019 after a crew member was wounded when a gun discharged unexpectedly.
"I can confirm that Dave Halls was fired from the set of Freedom's Path in 2019 after a crew member incurred a minor and temporary injury when a gun was unexpectedly discharged," the producer told Deadline.
They also told NBC News that Halls was "remorseful" about what had happened and "understood" why he was dismissed from his position.
The producer did not reveal what injuries the crew member sustained but did tell NBC News that the individual "recoiled after the blast" and was told to seek further medical assistance by a medical professional on set.
Furthermore, one of Halls' former co-workers alleged to NBC News that the AD had real shortcomings where providing a "safe working environment" was concerned.
"He did not maintain a safe working environment," Maggie Goll, a prop maker who worked with Halls on Hulu's Into the Dark, said in the statement to the outlet.
She added: "Sets were almost always allowed to become increasingly claustrophobic, no established fire lanes, exits blocked ... safety meetings were nonexistent."
An affidavit released on October 24 stated that when Baldwin was handed the prop weapon by the assistant director, he was told that it was a "cold gun" - that is, a gun that had not been loaded with live rounds.
The document also stated that the 63-year-old SNL star had been rehearsing a scene that involved pointing a gun at the camera when the deadly incident occurred.