Dozens attend Albuquerque vigil to honor the life of cinematographer shot dead by Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin was using a Colt pistol that was made between 1873-1892 when the accidental explosion occurred. It is not known who loaded the weapon and why it went off as a replacement crew was brought in the day of the incident (The gun pictured above is a vintage Colt pistol manufactured between 1873-92. Although it is not known which gun model was used, Rust is believed to have been made in the 1880s.

 The gun that killed the cinematographer on the set of Alec Baldwin’s Rust had been used for target practice by crew members, sources linked to the western film’s production said. 

Multiple sources close to the Rust set told TMZ that crew members had used the Colt pistol recreationally before it went off in Alec Baldwin’s hands, killing Halyna Houtchins and injuring Joel Souza. 

According to sources, crew members would practice shooting real bullets and some believe that a live cartridge from one of those practice sessions made its way onto the set. 

Another source claimed that live ammunition and blanks were stored together on set. This may have been another explanation for why Baldwin’s Colt fired a bullet.  

Friday’s search warrant revealed that Hannah Gutierrez Rice, Rust armorer, had placed three prop guns on a cart outside of the filming location. First assistant director Dave Halls then grabbed the Colt from that cart and brought it inside to Baldwin. He was unaware that it was loaded up with live rounds. 

“Cold gun!” Halls shouted before handing the gun to Baldwin. Halls shouted, “Cold gun!” before handing Baldwin the gun. The phrase was used to signal to the cast and crew that it was safe to fire at the scene, according to the warrant. 

Baldwin was filming a scene in an Old West-style church when she saw that the camera was about to go off. She apparently pointed at the camera and pulled the trigger. She accidentally killed Hutchins and injured Souza. 

Two production sources who worked with Gutierrez­Reed previously said that this was not her first incident on a movie set. 

The Daily Beast was told by two sources that Hannah Gutierrez – Reed had allegedly given an 11 year old actress a gun while filming The Old Way, Nicholas Cage’s film. She did not check it properly. 

One source said that she loaded the blanks a couple of times and did it in a way that was unsafe.

Sources on the set of Rust said the incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins could be tied to the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed

“She was a little careless with guns, waving it around every so often.”  

Sources close to the Rust family claim that the fatal incident that killed Hutchins (42), and injured Souza (48) was caused by production failures from the top. 

They added that Halls, assistant director, had handed Baldwin the gun and told him it was safe. 

One source on set stated that he was supposed to be our last line defense and that he had failed us. “He’s the last person who’s supposed to look at this firearm.”

According to a Rust production source, there have been at least two other instances of guns accidentally being discharged by crew members on set prior to Thursday’s tragic incident. 

Gutierrez-Reed was described by the source as “inexperienced and green.” 

As the sun shines from above, Halyna HUTCHINS, cinematographer smiles at the camera while she films herself riding into the New Mexico desert on horseback.

This was the last Instagram photo that the mother-of-one, a married mother-of-1, shared before Alec Baldwin accidentally shot a prop gun during a scene he was filming for a Western on a ranch near Santa Fe.

Halyna was born in Ukraine, raised on a Soviet military base “surrounded by reindeer, nuclear submarines”, and had previously been trained as a journalist. She spent time in Europe working for British documentaries before moving to Los Angeles, where her career had been established and she had started a family. 

Halyna was born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military bases’surrounded by reindeer, submarines, and submarines’. She was about to embark on a project in Ireland but was set for a bright future in Hollywood after her tragic death. Pictured, in 2018.

Her social media profiles show a clear portrait of a fun-loving, free-spirited friend, many of whom have paid tribute. A touching post from Stephanie, a close friend

Friends remember Halyna as a kind and loving soul. She lived in Venice Beach, California with Matthew, her husband, and their son Andros. 

In a touching Instagram tribute, a friend wrote that Halyna loved him and enjoyed watching him develop into the handsome boy he was today. “I know she is looking after Matt in this horribly frightening time.

Halyna smiles brightens up social media photos, capturing a playfulness in adventure and a sense that there is always something to see. 

She was also highly respected by her peers, and was considered a ‘rising star” by other cinematographers. Adam Mortimer, a friend, colleague, and director of the film, said to GMB that she was a person who was devoted to art and integrity. ‘I could tell that she was going be a genius. 

Halya (right), on a December 2018 visit to Kiev. She was raised in a military base and then attended the National University of Kyiv to study International Journalism.

Baldwin, 62 years old, was filming a scene in Rust when the gun went off at 1.50pm. Hutchins was killed and Joel Souza, 48, was injured. The incident occurred at Bonanza Creek Ranch.

Hutchins was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital by an air ambulance, but was declared dead shortly afterwards. 

Souza was taken by ambulance from his home to the Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center. Although his condition is unknown, he has been released.

Will Stewart, Daily Mail’s Moscow correspondent told how Halyna had been for him in mid-2000s. 

“This is devastating and difficult news about the passing of Halyna Houtchins. After graduating from a local university, she was trained in International Journalism and worked for my news agency from Kyiv during the mid-2000s.

‘Halyna was involved as a journalist in many British magazines and newspapers. But she also had a talent for documentaries. This was her first taste of filmmaking, and it helped her to become so successful in America.

“At this time, while she was still with us, in 2006 she was Associate Producer on a Discovery Channel documentary on Ukrainian icon Leonid Stanyk called World’s Tallest Man. It was made by British company Wild Pictures.

‘She was instrumental to Mr Stadnyk feeling at home participating in the documentary, which focused on the problems associated with being extraordinarily tall.

“The film was made by Richard Denton, a leading British director, with Paul Hamann, former Head of Documentaries at BBC, as executive producer. Without her, it wouldn’t have happened.

“Mr Stadnyk was shy and trusted Halyna after refusing other offers for film. He thanked her afterwards.

‘Pictures in advance of the film show him towering over Halyna’s home in the village Podoliantsy.

“She later traveled to the USA with her husband Matt. She achieved great things due to her enormous talent and creativity, but also her unwavering determination to learn and study.

“She once told her Russian colleagues that she felt she was a perpetual student at America. But her efforts paid off, and she finally achieved the success she so deserved.

“It is tragic she died in such cruel and inexplicable circumstances while doing the job that she loved.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt, their son, and Halyna’s family in Ukraine.

Richard Denton, the producer of Shakespeare Uncovered and many films from the former USSR, stated today that Halyna was the most wonderful person to work alongside.

‘She was friendly, and extremely helpful. She did everything, from translating interviews to getting Leonid’s horse moving in the right direction.

“She was completely unpretentious, and incredibly professional.”

Her death was’senseless’ and’stupid’.