Baldwin: Killing of cinematographer was ‘tragic accident’

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Alec Baldwin was handed a loaded weapon by an assistant director who indicated it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer.

The assistant director referred to the gun as “cold," according to a search warrant filed Friday in a Santa Fe, New Mexico, court. Instead, the gun was loaded with live rounds.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was shot in the chest. Director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her, was wounded.

Alec Baldwin says his killing of a cinematographer with a prop gun on a movie set was a “tragic accident.”

He posted the remark Friday on Twitter as authorities investigated the shooting.

The shooting happened in the desert on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A spokesperson for Baldwin originally said a prop gun with blanks misfired. It was not clear if Baldwin was performing at the time of the shooting.

The warrant was obtained so investigators could document the scene. They sought Baldwin’s blood-stained costume for the film “Rust” as evidence.

Production has been halted on the Western movie “Rust,” which was being directed by Joel Souza and produced by Baldwin.