Alec Baldwin: Police footage shows moment actor was told Halyna Hutchins had died after Rust shooting | US News

Police interview footage shows the moment Alec Baldwin put his hand over his mouth and sat in silence after being told Halyna Hutchins had died after being shot on the set of Rust.

The cinematographer died after a prop gun held by Baldwin was discharged during rehearsals for the western film in New Mexico in October 2021.

Footage released by Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office shows Baldwin sat with two deputies as one told him: “I do have some very unfortunate news to tell you. She didn’t make it.”

The 64-year-old actor said “No!” before putting his hand over his mouth and sitting in silence.

The deputy then explained that the film’s director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, was still in hospital.

Baldwin then put his hand on his chest as the deputy repeated the news that Ms Hutchins “didn’t make it”, before adding: “I didn’t want you to hear it outside of here.”

When asked if there was anything the deputies could do for him, Baldwin said he wanted to call his wife before walking out of the room with his hand on his forehead.

The footage has been released as the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said “concerning” information has been found on text messages during the investigation into the fatal shooting.

Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the messages discussed the possible use of live ammunition on a different movie set a few months prior to the start of the production on Rust.

The department recently released all files relating to its ongoing investigation into the shooting, including video footage of Baldwin practicing with a revolver.

Speaking to Sky’s US partner NBC, Sheriff Mendoza said: “There was complacency on the set, there was disorganisation and a degree of negligence, whether that rises to a criminal level that’ll be up to the district attorney.”

Baldwin continues to fight a number of lawsuits stemming from the incident.

Cases are being brought by script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, head of lighting Serge Svetnoy and the family of Ms Hutchins.