The 24-year-old armorer who worked on Rust gave a child actress a gun without checking it on a previous film set, two production sources who worked with her said.  

Two sources informed The Daily Beast that Hannah Gutierrez–Reed allegedly gave an 11-year old actress a gun, without properly inspecting it, while she was filming The Old Way with Nicholas Cage. 

Sources said that there were a few instances when she loaded the blanks and did it in an unsafe manner.

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

Friday’s search warrant stated that Gutierrez­Reed 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 the gun to Baldwin. This phrase was used to signal the crew and cast that the gun was safe to be fired for the scene, according the warrant. 

Seconds later, Baldwin was filming a scene within an Old West-style Church. He apparently aimed at the camera and pulled out the trigger. Baldwin accidentally killed Halyna Houtchins while filming him and injured Joel Souza who stood behind her.  

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

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

The colt pistol accidentally went off and pierced Halyna Hutchin's chest on Thursday

On Thursday, Halyna Hutchin was accidentally pierced by the colt pistol.

An inconsolable Alec Baldwin is shown outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office after accidentally shooting and killing the cinematographer

After accidentally shooting and killing a cinematographer, Alec Baldwin stands outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in tears.

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, handed Baldwin the gun and said 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 The Daily Beast, there have been at most two instances in which guns were accidentally discharged on set by other crew members before Thursday’s tragic accident. 

Gutierrez­Reed was described as ‘inexperienced’ and ‘green’ by the source. 

Gutierrez­Reed had previously admitted that she wasn’t ready for The Old Way when she interviewed before filming began.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the 24-year-old head armorer in charge of guns on Alec Baldwin film said she 'wasn't sure she was ready' for the job 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

An aerial view of the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, where the movie was being filmed. Workers had been protesting over the fact production wouldn't pay for them to stay in hotels and motels in Santa Fe, instead forcing them to drive an hour to Albuquerque

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

 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

Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was the head armorer for The Old Way, said that she almost turned down the job because she wasn’t sure if it was right for her.

In her podcast interview, she also revealed that she found loading blanks into guns ‘the scariest’ because she didn’t know how and had sought help form her father, Thell Reed (respected gunsmith), to get over the fear.

It all happened as the film crew revealed that they had walked off the set hours prior to the fatal accident. They were concerned about safety after firearms were accidentally fired three times. Baldwin’s stunt double was the first to fire the gun, and the second time in a closed room.

Neither Halls or Gutierrez-Reed responded to DailyMail.com messages on Friday night. Despite being under investigation by police, neither has been charged nor named as a suspect in this case.

Why was a gun found on Alec Baldwin’s movie set, loaded with live ammunition? Mysterious events leading to actor killing cinematographer 

After it was revealed that Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed Halyna Hutchins, the tragic chain of events on set led to Baldwin being given a gun with live ammunition. 

Experts yesterday stated that safety on set was usually very tight with live rounds never used in filming. It is still unclear why a firearm loaded full of live ammunition was found on the Rust setting at all. 

Baldwin was given a gun with live ammunition. 

Dave Halls, the first assistant director, picked up one of these firearms – a Colt revolver in vintage style that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had laid out – but was unaware that it was loaded with live ammunition.

“Cold gun!” Halls shouted, before handing Baldwin the gun. He used the phrase to signal to the cast and crew that it was safe to fire at the scene. A search warrant was released on Friday.

Baldwin was filming a scene in an Old West-style church. She then fired a live shot towards the camera, accidentally killing Hutchins.  

Hutchins was airlifted from the airport to the hospital, but was later declared dead. Souza was taken by ambulance to the hospital, but was released Thursday evening. 

Why was live ammunition ever used on set? 

Live ammunition is rarely used on film sets. Baldwin’s shooting and murder of a cinematographer was a ‘total surprise’, according to a Hollywood armorer.

Mike Tristan (60), who has provided guns to movie sets for over thirty years, stated that Hutchins’ injuries shouldn’t have been possible. 

Tristan, who worked with Baldwin previously, said that any professional armorer would check the weapon, which he believes to be a Western, before he handed it to the 63 year-old.

Tristan said that the gun should have had blanks. The on-set armorer’s job was to check this before giving the weapon over.

They then make sure that the actor stands on the mark and never points the gun towards the cast or crew.

“That’s why everyone within the industry is so confused, how it happened is a total mystery at this point.

Union members had left the set hours before due to safety concerns. 

Unionized workers walked off the scene on Wednesday, hours prior to the tragedy, complaining about safety concerns. 

They complained of long hours, poor conditions, and another safety incident that occurred days earlier that involved ‘two misfires’ of a prop gun. 

Deadline quotes an unnamed source as saying that a gun went off “in a log cabin” while someone was holding the gun, days before Hutchins’ shooting.

“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.

Baldwin’s double-act of terrorism also accidentally fired 2 rounds after being told that the firearm wasn’t cold.

They found out that locals had replaced them when they showed up to clean their belongings on Thursday.

It raises the question of who were these local workers, what their training was, and how did they check the weapon prior to it being handed to Baldwin.

 

DailyMail.com exclusively learned that the gun that fired the fatal shot in the shooting was 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 does not identify 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 took place.

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.

According to a source, the prop master was a non-union worker who was ‘just hired’ to replace workers who had left due to safety concerns.

It is not clear if Gutierrez-Reed was a recent addition to the production or if he was one of the crew members who remained behind after the walkoff.

However, her Instagram bio link points to an article from May about Rust, which suggests she was attached to the production for some while.

Unionized employees complained about having to stay in Albuquerque for the night – one hour from the set – and not Sante Fe, because production wouldn’t pay their hotels. Sources cited by The Los Angeles Times as well as multiple social media posts by film- and TV insiders.

They found out that locals had replaced them when they showed up to clean their belongings on Thursday.

It begs the question: Who were these local workers? What was their training? How did they check the weapon before it went to Baldwin?

Deadline also quotes an unnamed source that said that a gun had gone off in a cabin while someone was holding the gun, days before Hutchins’ shooting.

“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 am fully cooperating with police to investigate how this tragedy occurred. I am in touch and offering my support for her husband and his family. My heart is broken for her husband and their son, as well as all those who knew and loved Halyna.

He then tweeted a Variety article titled Alec Baldwin was Told Prop gun Was Safe Before Fatal shooting, Affidavit states.

After speaking to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department shortly after the shooting, he was seen looking doubled over in his grief 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-years-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 enormous, and we ask that the media please respect my family’s privacy as we process our grief. We are grateful for everyone’s sharing of images and stories about her.

His Facebook profile picture is a photo taken by the couple, who were married for 16 years. 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. According to ShowBiz411, there were also 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 (circled) are pictured together on the set of Rust, in an image that she uploaded to Instagram two days ago saying the crew of the film were supporting a strike by the IATSE union

Baldwin and Hutchins are shown together on Rust’s set (circled). She uploaded an image to Instagram two days ago stating that the crew were supporting a strike by IATSE union.

Alec Baldwin is seen on the set of Rust with fake blood earlier Thursday, hours before he shot and killed the film's cinematographer. He shared this photo on Instagram with the caption "Back to in person at the office. Blimey…it’s exhausting." Filming was halted following the fatal incident at the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set in Santa Fe

Hutchins' social media shows she was married to Matthew (pictured together), a Los Angeles-based lawyer. It is unclear when the pair married, but they have a son who was born either in late 2012 or early 2013

Matthew Hutchins, Matthew’s husband, told DailyMail.com exclusively on Friday: “I have spoken to Alec Baldwin. He is being very supportive.  

Zak Knight, a pyrotechnics and special effects engineer, said on Friday that there should never have been live rounds on a movie sets. That’s number one. Number two is that every person on a movie-set has the right to inspect any weapon before it’s fired. Number three is that there is no reason for anyone to ever be in direct contact with a weapon that is firing.

Legal experts tell DailyMail.com lawsuits naming Alec Baldwin are a virtual certainty, but that any potential criminal charges are more likely to center on whoever loaded the gun

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 clear that this gun was pointed directly towards two people.

“We would have added a barrier between them. He said that a large number of people did not follow our protocols… each accident is a series of events.

Knight claimed that whatever happened in the hours leading to her death, it was due to a ‘cascade failures’ by many people. “We have a firm rule that no live ammunition should ever be loaded into a prop truck, or set at any given time. It’s just not possible.

“If you see bullets on a set, they are complete dummy rounds that are 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 suggested that the accident could have been caused by differences in gun laws between New Mexico, California, and other states. California’s film sets require both a trained armourer and a prop master. These are the same standards the union adheres too.

Los Angeles will have the best and most skilled people. 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 above, Halyna Houtchins, 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, 42 years old, was born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military bases’surrounded by nuclear submarines and reindeer’. She had previously trained as a journalist before moving to Los Angeles where she had established her career and started a family. 

Sun streaming from above, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins smiles into the camera as she films herself riding off into the New Mexico desert on horseback. This was the last Instagram post shared by the married mother-of-one before she was accidentally killed by actor Alec Baldwin when he fired a prop gun while filming a scene for upcoming Western, Rust, yesterday

Born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military base 'surrounded by reindeer and submarines', Halyna had recently wrapped on a project in Ireland and was tipped for a bright future in Hollywood when her life was so tragically cut short. Pictured, in 2018

Halyna was born in Ukraine, raised on a Soviet military base “surrounded by reindeer & submarines”, and was poised for a bright career in Hollywood when her tragically ended. Pictured in 2018.

Her social media profiles also paint a clear image of a free-spirited, much-loved friend, many of whom have been paying tribute. Pictured, a touching post by close friend Stephanie

Her social media profiles show a clear portrait of a fun-loving, free-spirited friend, many of whom have been paying their respects. Pictured: A touching post by Stephanie, a friend.

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

“Halyna loved him so deeply and enjoyed watching him become the handsome boy that he is today,” one friend wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute. “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, 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) on a visit back to Kiev in December 2018. She was raised on a military base in the country and later attended the National University of Kyiv, studying International Journalism

Halya (right), on a December 2018 visit to Kiev. She was born on a military base in Ukraine and went to school at the National University of Kyiv where she studied 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, was filming scenes for Rust, when the gun went off. Hutchins died, and Joel Souza (48), was injured. The incident took place at 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 transported by ambulance 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 unintelligible news about Halyna’s death. After graduating from a local university, she was trained in International Journalism and worked for my news agency in Kyiv.

‘Halyna was involved as a journalist in many British magazines and newspapers. But she also had a talent for documentaries. This was her first exposure to filmmaking, and it was this that she became 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 is a shy man who trusted Halyna, after refusing many other film offers. He thanked her for her trust and thanked her later.

‘Pictures before the film show him towering above Halyna at the home he shares with his wife in the village of 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, prayers, and best wishes to Matt and their son, Halyna and their 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 very helpful. She was able to translate interviews and make Leonid’s horse go in the right direction.

“She was completely unpretentious, and incredibly professional.”

Her death was’senseless, stupid’