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Sheriff: Alec Baldwin fired shot on movie set that killed woman

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A tragedy requires not only a victim, but also a perpetrator as we have seen recently in the sad case of the pair of lovers, Petito and Laundrie. Alec Baldwin will carry the guilt in his heart for the rest of his life. He is going to need much comforting.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Curious: a studio staff member is accidentally killed during filming...a film where the main character is "sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.

And Curiouser: why did Baldwin shoot not the intended actor or stuntman, but...a principal of photography? Bang bang? Point and click for an LOL gone wrong?

"'Curiouser and curiouser....' cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English)."

2 ( +7 / -5 )

A medium shot usually covers an actor from the top of their head to their waist. A cowboy shot, very popular in westerns, covers a bit more around the waist to include actions such as the actor pulling his or her gun, or to show the gun on the hip. Also known as an American shot. just found that interesting.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Awful news. RIP.

In this day and age of CG and effects, why on earth would blanks be needed to replicate a gun being shot? Other actors in the past have died this way. Brandon Lee (son of Bruce) was one.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This might be similar to Brandon Lee's death on the set of the Crow way back in 1993. In a scene where he was being shot at one of the guns actually fired a live round at him which killed him. The gun was loaded with blanks, but the stunt people had missed the fact that a real bullet was stuck in the chamber of the gun. When the blank was fired, it shot that bullet out of the gun and killed Lee.

The details of this might be different, but I would guess it was some similar oversight. Very tragic.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

How terribly tragic. “Rest in Peace” unfortunate soul, “Condolences” to grieving family, friends & coworkers.

Hopefully, the director can recover from his injuries and Mr. Baldwin will be absolved of what appears to be an unintentional accident.

The “Weapons Handler”, the position on set responsible for any weapons and “live” blank rounds, created after the accidental death of actor Jon-Erik Hexum in 1984 now has a lot of questions to answer.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Even though a weapons handler checks each firearm after each sequence of firing, sometimes a fragment of the blank round casing can tear off and lodge in the barrel. According to some sources regarding Brandon Lee’s death in 1993, the slug portion of ‘dummy bullet’, used in a previous shot, had lodged in the gun and was later propelled with enough force from a subsequent blank round to kill him. Since then, there are supposed to be multiple inspections and accounting of each round and casing before, during and after each take.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

No where in this article or other sources, do they refer to the word: “murder” regarding this unfortunate incident, injury and death. Seems someone’s subsequent, insensitive comment about the tragic loss of a human life just reads as a very, poor attempt at an inappropriate “joke” - ? -

- “Sounds like Murder Who Done It?”

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Baldwin is not at fault.

We shall agree to disagree.

You can't "accidently" fire a weapon. You either pull the trigger or you handle it incorrectly (i.e. drop, etc.).

The weapon can't "inadvertently" send anything down range. You either allowed the firearm to be loaded with something it shouldn't be or you, once again, handled it incorrectly.

Anyone, and everyone, handling a firearm is directly responsible for the condition of the firearm at all times, without exception. Once you are handed a weapon, it does NOT matter what the person handing you the weapon tells you they've done. It does not matter what you just watched them do. Basic safety checks are what you do 100% of the time you take possession of a weapon as well as each/every time you put it down.

And you never, EVER, point a weapon with a functioning firing pin at something you aren't willing to kill. No exceptions.

If you can't be mature enough to handle a weapon responsibly, then the only thing you should ever handle is a realistic looking plastic or metal replica.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Acknowledged but still, IMO, a very poor attempt at what can only be presumed was a “joke?”. That earlier comment did pass muster and was not deleted, nor tagged ‘vulgar, obscene or impolite’. So, it then perhaps, sets a precedent for what are appropriate postings here on JT: “*Not insensitive unless the full facts are* known.” - Still, how terribly sad for ALL involved.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The man is clearly distraught in these photos. “The Santa Fe New Mexican reported the 68y.o. Baldwin was seen Thurs outside the sheriff’s office in tears,..”

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/sheriffs-office-alec-baldwin-discharged-prop-gun-that-killed-crew-member-wounded-director/article_9612afc6-32c5-11ec-9e2e-e3cc47b69ce5.html

Mr. Baldwin’s personal politics aside, some empathy for ANY of the human beings involved in this tragedy would be an appropriate response.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Sounds like a tragic event, but how do you manage to accidentally wound two persons with a prop gun unless multiple shots are fired?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

You can't "accidently" fire a weapon. You either pull the trigger or you handle it incorrectly (i.e. drop, etc.).

The weapon can't "inadvertently" send anything down range. You either allowed the firearm to be loaded with something it shouldn't be or you, once again, handled it incorrectly.

Anyone, and everyone, handling a firearm is directly responsible for the condition of the firearm at all times, without exception. Once you are handed a weapon, it does NOT matter what the person handing you the weapon tells you they've done. It does not matter what you just watched them do. Basic safety checks are what you do 100% of the time you take possession of a weapon as well as each/every time you put it down.

And you never, EVER, point a weapon with a functioning firing pin at something you aren't willing to kill. No exceptions.

If you can't be mature enough to handle a weapon responsibly, then the only thing you should ever handle is a realistic looking plastic or metal replica.

You can't really equate general use with a film set though. An actor is not a firearms expert, which is why there are people on set to take care of that.

If an actor takes possession of a firearm, is told that it is loaded with blanks, then proceeds to fire it toward a camera where the DP and director are standing, as instructed to do so, then I can't see how they are in any way culpable.

That's my supposition, but the weapons master will have some serious questions to answer whatever the case, as will whoever is responsible for overseeing general safety on set. Maybe the director wanted a shot directly into the camera, but the safety overseer should be able to ensure that it's done in a safe way, or not at all.

Must feel absolutely gut-wrenching to inadvertently kills someone like that. We have only victims mentioned so far. Very sad.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I don't get how blanks work. Is there any reason they can't just use a cap like in a starter gun? I'm sure they adjust the audio later anyway.

When I was in the army we would often fire blanks at each other during training exercises.

Blanks can be lethal. They don't have live rounds, but small metal pieces of the blank itself can be shot out the barrel when fired. For that reason we always used a device called a BFA, which is basically a kind of metal plug you attach to the end of the barrel, to prevent anything flying out the end of it, when firing blanks.

The problem for film-makers with a BFA though is that it is really visible and obvious, so they can't use them.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

You can't "accidently" fire a weapon. You either pull the trigger or you handle it incorrectly (i.e. drop, etc.).

> The weapon can't "inadvertently" send anything down range. You either allowed the firearm to be loaded with something it shouldn't be or you, once again, handled it incorrectly.

It's quite possible that the scene involved a sequence where he fires in the direction of the camera and crew. And an actor cannot be held responsible for the contents of a prop weapon that has been handed it him - it is assumed to be safe /an immitation and passed by the prop manager. Not every actor will have even held a real gun before.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A spokesperson for Baldwin said there was an accident on the set involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks.

Wait.

It's not a 'misfire' if the gun actually fires.

A prop gun does not hold bullets, even blanks. it is a prop.

Someone really ***d up on this one.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Loki520Today  02:44 pm JST

Anyone, and everyone, handling a firearm is directly responsible for the condition of the firearm at all times, without exception. Once you are handed a weapon, it does NOT matter what the person handing you the weapon tells you they've done. It does not matter what you just watched them do. Basic safety checks are what you do 100% of the time you take possession of a weapon as well as each/every time you put it down.

100% correct, these are the proper procedures but a lackadaisical attitude to firearms is to be expected in the US.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I cant stand these pompous Hollywood people who have a "spokesman" after killing someone or being arrested or whatever.

You killed someone, you speak for a living and you cant even....speak on your own behalf?

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

So sad for this current cast & crew. The church in the picture may be the one built in 1983 for Silverado, yet at that time a larger bell tower. Could have been rebuilt since then. Also, seen in Cowboys & Aliens. Christian Bale’s filmed there twice, 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and Hostiles (2017). All good to ‘decent’ Westerns.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Does the USA still permit real guns to be used as prop guns?

It is a little confusing as it seems after Brandon Lee's death changes were proposed but not all implemented.

As far as I have found real guns can still be used with certain controls in place.

But again I am not sure!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Irresponsible handling of a firearm, even loaded with blanks, resulting in injury and deaths should lead to criminal charges. Reckless Endangerment, Involuntary Manslaughter, and certainly others.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Wise advice yet Baldwin has made NO published “public statement” so far. In regards to a statement regarding the state’s investigation, the aforementioned & linked Santa Fe Mexican article clearly states Baldwin voluntarily accompanied & answered questions of law enforcement.

Concerning media: “Attempts to get comment from Baldwin outside the sheriff’s office were unsuccessful. The state film office and the Santa Fe Film Office declined to comment.

*- @zichi 6:26 pm: ”Not wise for Baldwin to make a public statement before consulting with his lawyer”*

(Such trepidation is understandable for those living outside Western democratic societies. In contrast, if a similar incident had happened in Japan for example, attorneys on par with those hired by former national automobile executive officers should be called immediately be “voluntarily’ going anywhere with the JP.)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The gun used in Brandon Lee’s death was a .45 revolver. The gun was loaded for a close up scene, with bullets that had the powder removed, but the projectile intact for realism. Someone forgot to remove the primer as well, and the primer had enough explosive energy to dislodge the projectile and leave it stuck in the barrel.

When the gun was used with blanks in a later scene, the bullet lodged in the barrel was propelled by the blanks with the same force as a live round.

Brandon Lee’s death caused a massive re-examination of prop safety regulations in Hollywood, but accidents still happen.

Automatic and semi-automatic weapons that use blowback pressure to recoil require a blank firing adapter that is aesthetically unsuitable. Instead bullets with paper, wax, or other disintegrating wads are used to create the recoil and allow the weapon to cycle properly. The paper wads in particular are known to cause injuries at close distances.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Baldwin is an anti-gun rights liberal so he may not have had the same respect for gun safety that gun owners have. You never horse around with guns, even if they’re supposedly loaded with blanks.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Always assume any firearm is loaded and treat it that way. Don't trust what anyone else tells you. If you want to use blanks, then you need to be loading them from the box yourself.

Period.

Why would there be anything but blanks on a movie set? Seems a production failure.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have heard that even blanks can be fatal if fired from point blank range

Many people don’t know how a blank actually works. In a blank, you have a charge of powder in the casing, just like a normal bullet. But instead of a projectile, the end of the case is crimped closed to seal it. However, there is more to it. Just behind the crimp is a small, solid plug. This plug is usually made of heavy cardboard or compressed cotton. The purpose of the plug is to allow pressure to build up behind it when the blank is fired. That way, you get a BANG and not a poof. That plug is blasted out the muzzle and even though it doesn’t travel as far or as fast as a bullet, it can be dangerous and penetrate skin past 15 feet. That’s why, for gunfight scenes at close range, they either use CGI or flash paper guns, which produce a bright flash using magnesium. The sounds are then added in post.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Baldwin is an anti-gun rights liberal so he may not have had the same respect for gun safety that gun owners have. You never horse around with guns, even if they’re supposedly loaded with blanks

You do realize that people in Texas are allowed to carry real firearms with even less training than Baldwin had? And I’m pretty sure is wasn’t because of the liberals….

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Can't stand Baldwin as a person, but I do generally feel bad for the guy on this one, absolutely horrible, the guy has to live with this for the rest of his life, he definitely didn't deserve this. This is one movie he can never be proud of or hold his head up about.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Leader of the Prop Union says Baldwin fired a live round.

I can’t find a source for that, but given that it was able to not only kill one person, but wound another, this doesn’t seem like it was a blank. It’s possible that this was a ‘dummy round’ similar to the one that killed Brandon Lee.

For closeup shots of bullets, a ‘dummy’ round is often used. If you, say, want a shot of your guy pointing a revolver at the camera, you wouldn’t want the very obvious crimped nose of a blank peeking out of each chamber. So a dummy round is used, which is a round that is SUPPOSED to have its powder charge and primer removed. In Brandon Lee’s case, the powder was removed, but not the primer. The primer is still explosive and in his case provided just enough power to push the bullet into the barrel, but not out this muzzle. This is called a ‘squib round’ or a ‘squib malfunction’. Someone on set fired Brandon’s gun, lodging the squib in the barrel, and then told no one. So when the gun was loaded with blanks for the scene where Brandon was shot, the blank provided basically the equivalent of a full live round of force to the squib, which shot out and killed him.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

4 hours ago, Alec Baldwin informally addressed this tragedy and offered condolences and support to the grieving families of the deceased & injured (via Twitter):

@AlecBaldwin; 1. -“There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and …

12:33 AM · Oct 23, 2021

@AlecBaldwin: 2. - “I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.

12:37 AM · Oct 23, 2021

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

In the interim, let’s trust local law enforcement & local media in New Mexico to provide accurate, up-to-date information on the official investigation as it proceeds:

The production company initially reported on Thurs afternoon that the incident involved blanks,” 

*but the Sheriff’s office later*** said that it was too soon to determine what type of round was used.**”

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Updated just 20min ago from local media: “Baldwin: ‘No words to convey my shock and sadness’”:

Investigators cannot confirm nor deny if the ammunition was in fact a live round, said Juan Ríos, a spokesman for the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. Deputies are still at the movie set collecting evidence, and witness interviews are underway, he added.” -

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/baldwin-no-words-to-convey-my-shock-and-sadness/article_73bc2302-334d-11ec-b2b6-6f5fe3cd1edd.html -

By Phaedra Haywood and Victoria Traxler phaywood@sfnewmexican.com vtraxler@sfnewmexican.com Oct 22, 2021

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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