The young armorer who was responsible for the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Alec Baldwin new film Rust has been careless with weapons in the past, sources allege.
Hannah Gutierrez – Reed, 24, was previously a cast member on a previous film set. A source said that Gutierrez – Reed has a history with recklessness when it comes to guns.
According to The Daily Beast, ‘She was a bit careless when it came to guns, waving them around every now and then,’ the source said. “There were times when she was loading blanks and doing so in a way we thought was unsafe.
Another source claimed Gutierrez-Reed loaded a weapon on the pebble-filled soil and handed it to a child actress, 11 years old, without any inspection.
‘She was reloading it on the ground, where were pebbles etc. We didn’t see her check it. We didn’t know if anything got into the barrel or not,” a source who worked alongside her set of The Old Way by Nicolas Cage said.
The individual stated that The crew waited to film until Gutierrez Reed had double checked the barrel for obstruction.
Fellow crew members say armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (pictured) was a ‘inexperienced’ and ‘a bit careless with guns’. They claim that the 24-year-old had a history with recklessness when it came to weaponry.
Gutierrez-Reed allegedly handed Alec Baldwin the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins (pictured) on the set of Rust
Gutierrez Reed was described by a Rust crewmate as “inexperienced” and “green,” claiming that there had been at minimum two incidents of guns being fired on the set before Thursday’s fatal accident.
Rust crew members claim that several complaints were made against the set’s armorer and that at least six ‘fedup’ people walked off the set before Gutierrez–Reed handed Baldwin his gun that killed Hutchins.
The crew complained directly to Dave Hall (named in the search warrant.) Hall was the person who handed Baldwin the gun which killed Hutchins. Hall also stated that it was safe and that all discharges had been documented.
‘All of our shouted at him. That better be on the production record, these guys should not be here.’ A production source said.
“That should be an automatic ground for termination on a Union Film Set. You should be out. The entire department should have had its guns fired the first time without anyone knowing. Production decided to pay the ultimate price and instead of thinking better of it.
Friday’s search warrant stated that Gutierrez-Reed set up three prop guns outside the filming location. Dave Halls was the first assistant director and grabbed the gun off the cart and brought it inside. Alec Baldwin did not know that it was loaded full of live rounds.
“Cold gun!” 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.
Seconds later, while filming a scene in an Old West-style church, Baldwin apparently pointed at the camera and pulled the trigger. This accidentally killed Halyna Hutchins and injured Joel Souza, who stood by her.
Sources on the set of Rust said the incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins could be tied to the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
On Thursday, Halyna Hutchin was accidentally pierced by the colt pistol.
After accidentally shooting and killing a cinematographer, Alec Baldwin stands outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in tears.
Sources on the Rust team have stated that the fatal incident which killed Hutchins, 42 years old, and injured Souza 48 years ago was caused by production problems from top to bottom.
They also stated that Baldwin was handed the gun by Halls, the assistant director, and told it was safe.
According to one source, ‘He’s supposed be our last line and he failed us. “He’s not supposed to be looking at that 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.”
Gutierrez-Reed previously stated that she wasn’t sure she was up for the job on The Old Way, in an interview before filming began.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (24-year-old head armourer in charge guns on Alec Baldwin film) stated that she wasn’t sure she was ready for the job in an interview prior to filming began
Aerial view of Bonanza Creek Ranch, Santa Fe, where the movie was being shot. Workers were protesting the fact that they wouldn’t be paid to stay in Santa Fe hotels and motels, so they had to drive an hour from Albuquerque.
A search warrant released Friday said that Gutierrez-Reed laid out three prop guns on a cart outside the filming location, and first assistant director Dave Halls (pictured) grabbed the gun from the cart and brought it inside to Alec Baldwin, unaware that it was loaded with live rounds
Gutierrez-Reed, who was the head of the firearms department in The Old Way, starring Nicolas Cage, said that she almost turned down the job. However, it went very smoothly.
In her podcast interview, she also revealed that she found loading blanks into a gun the scariest thing. This was because she didn’t know how it worked and had sought help form her father, Thell Reed (respected gunsmith) to get over this fear.
The film crew has just revealed that they left the set hours before the fatal accident because of safety concerns. Three firearms were accidentally discharged, including one by Baldwin’s stunt double, who was told the gun wasn’t loaded. It also happened twice in a closed-cabin.
Neither Halls or Gutierrez-Reed responded to DailyMail.com messages on Friday night. Despite the ongoing police investigation, neither Halls nor Gutierrez-Reed have been charged or named as criminal suspects in the case.
The Colt revolver that fired the fatal shot was a vintage-style Colt revolver. (Photo by Halyna Houtchins).
After the shooting, Hannah Gutierrez Reed (pictured) took possession the gun and a used casing. These were turned over to the police along with other prop guns, ammunition, and ammunition.
Alec Baldwin (pictured) also changed out of the Western costume he was wearing, which was stained with blood, and turned it over to police
DailyMail.com exclusively learned that the fatal shot was fired by a Colt revolver of vintage design.
After the shooting, the armorer claimed the gun and the spent casing. These were turned over to the police along with other prop guns, ammunition, and ammunition.
Baldwin also removed the Western costume that he was wearing, which was stained by blood, and handed it over to police.
The warrant doesn’t give the model or caliber, but the film was shot in the Old West of 1880s. DailyMail.com has learned that it was a Colt.
Friday’s warrant was obtained to allow investigators to document the scene at ranch where shooting occurred.
Hours before the fatal shooting, unionized workers had walked out of the set after complaining about long hours, poor conditions, and another safety incident involving ‘two misfires’ of a prop gun.
The prop master, who was yet to be identified, was a nonunion worker who was ‘just brought into’ to replace workers who left because of safety concerns, according to a source familiar with the movie.
It is not clear if Gutierrez-Reed was a recent addition to the production or if he was one of the crew members who stayed behind following the walk-off.
However, her Instagram bio links to an article about Rust dating back to May. This suggests that she was involved in the production for some time.
According to sources cited by The Los Angeles Times as well as multiple social media posts by TV and film insiders, unionized workers had complained about having to spend the night in Albuquerque, an hour from the set.
They were surprised to discover that they had been replaced by locals when they arrived to clear their stuff on Thursday.
It raises questions about who these local workers were, their training, and how extensive they checked the weapon before it was handed over to Baldwin.
Deadline also quotes an unnamed source that said a gun had been fired ‘in a log cabin’ by someone who was holding it, days before Hutchins’ death.
“A gun had misfired twice in a closed room. They just fired loud pops – a person was just holding it in their hands and it went off,’ they said, apparently referring to unintentional discharges.
Rust Production LLC didn’t respond to DailyMail.com’s repeated requests for comment on Friday regarding the incident. However, members of the union representing many of the crew involved in the production stated that they had expressed concerns about safety on-set.
Baldwin addressed the tragedy via Twitter on Friday. I fully cooperate with the police investigation into how this tragedy occurred. I am also in touch with her husband and offer my support to him. My heart is broken for her husband and their son, as well as all who loved Halyna.
He then tweeted a Variety article entitled Alec Baldwin was Told Prop Gun Was Safe Prior to Fatal Shooting, Affidavit says.
After speaking with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department about the shooting, he was shown looking in pain on Thursday.
Hutchins husband shared a touching tribute for his wife on Twitter Friday. Matthew Hutchins posted a photo of his wife and their son, 9-year-old Andros, on Friday. The caption read: “Halyna instilled us all with her passion for vision, and her legacy too meaningful to be encapsulated in words.
“Our loss is immense, and we ask that media respect my family’s privacy while we grieve. We are grateful to everyone who shared images and stories about her life.
His Facebook profile picture shows a photo of his 16-year-old wife. His bio now reads: “We miss your, Halyna.”
ShowBiz411 reported that a private memorial was held last night in Santa Fe with Baldwin, Andros, Matthew and Andros in attendance. ShowBiz411 reported that there were grief counselors at the service.
DailyMail.com’s husband, who was in shock, said that he had spoken to the actor on Friday morning. Alec Baldwin has been supportive of my family, he stated.
Baldwin and Hutchins are shown together on Rust’s set (circled). She uploaded an image to Instagram two days ago that said the crew were supporting a strike of the IATSE union.
Matthew Hutchins, Matthew’s husband, told DailyMail.com exclusively on Friday: “I have spoken to Alec Baldwin. He is being very supportive.
Zak Knight is a pyrotechnic, special effects engineer and member of Local 44. He stated that there should not have been live rounds at a movie set. Number two states that everyone on a movie set is entitled to inspect the weapon before it fires. Number three is that it is illegal to put anyone in front of a weapon firing.
DailyMail.com legal experts say that lawsuits naming Alec Baldwin seem almost certain, but that criminal charges against Baldwin will likely focus on the person who loaded the gun.
“A barrel pointed down the lens of a movie should be seen without an operator. It is obvious that this gun was pointed directly at two people.
“We would have also had a barrier between their eyes.” He stated that many people didn’t follow our protocols. Every accident is a chain of events.
Knight claimed that whatever happened during the time leading up to her death was the result of a “cascade” of failures by multiple people. “We have a firm rule that no live ammunition should ever be loaded into a prop truck, or set, at any time. It’s just not possible.
‘If bullets are seen on set, they are complete mockup rounds and in no way functional. This goes back to Brandon Lee. There is protocol. Lee was also shot by another actor with a prop gun loaded with live ammunition during filming of The Crow in 1993.
Knight said that there may have been differences in gun laws between New Mexico State and California. California’s film sets require both a trained armourer and a prop master. These are the same standards that the union adheres too.
Los Angeles is home to some of the most highly-trained and skilled people in the country. He said that it is impossible to guarantee this as you travel across the country.
Alec Baldwin tragedy kills ‘kind and loving’ cinematographer: Ukraine-born Halyna Hutchins (42), was raised on a Soviet military base that was surrounded by nuclear submarines. She was trained as a journalist and was considered a rising star in Hollywood.
Sun streaming from the sky, Halyna HUTCHINS, cinematographer smiles at the camera while she films herself riding into the New Mexico desert on horseback.
This was the last Instagram post that the married mother of one shared before Alec Baldwin shot a prop gun and accidentally killed her. Baldwin was filming a scene for a Western at a Santa Fe ranch.
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 portray a clear picture of a friend and a friend who is free-spirited and much loved. Many have paid tribute to her. 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 sense playfulness and adventure through Halloween costumes, road trips with friends, and days spent exploring.
She was highly respected by her peers and was regarded as a rising star by other cinematographers. Adam Mortimer, director, friend and colleague, stated that she was “absolutely dedicated to art, integrity, and her work.” ‘I could tell that she was going be a genius.
Halya (right), during a December 2018 return visit to Kiev. She was raised in a military base and then attended the National University of Kyiv to study International Journalism.
Friends remember Halyna as a kind and loving soul. She lived in Venice Beach, California with Matthew, her husband, and their son Andros.
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 took place at at Bonanza Creek Ranch.
Hutchins, who was in an air ambulance, was rushed to University of New Mexico Hospital. However, he was later declared dead.
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 explained how Halyna worked for him during the mid-2000s.
“This is a devastating and incomprehensible news regarding the death of Halyna Houtchins. After graduating from a local university with International Journalism, she worked for my news agency in Kyiv for several decades.
“Halyna was involved with many stories for British newspapers, magazines, but she had a special talent in documentaries, which was perhaps her first exposure to film, and in which she was 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 in making Mr Stadnyk feel at ease participating in the documentary that focused on the difficulties of being extremely 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 for her trust and thanked her for it.
‘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 said to my Russian colleagues that she felt like she was a perpetual student of America. But her efforts paid off and she got the success she deserved.
“It is tragic that she died in such an inexplicable and cruel way while doing the job she loved.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt, their son, and Halyna’s family in Ukraine.
Richard Denton is the producer behind Shakespeare Uncovered, and many films in former USSR. He said today that Halyna has been the most wonderful, vibrant, lively, and positive person to have worked with.
“She was friendly and extremely helpful. She was able to translate interviews and make Leonid’s horse go in the right direction.
“She was totally unpretentious and incredibly professionally.
Her death was’senseless’ and’stupid’.