The '30 Rock' alum was filming a scene for his western movie in Santa Fe, New Mexico, when a prop gun misfired, injuring two crewmembers, but the actor was unharmed.
- Oct 22, 2021
AceShowbiz - One person was killed and another was injured in a gun accident on the set of Alec Baldwin's new movie. The actor was filming a scene for the western film "Rust" at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico on Thursday, October 21 when a prop gun misfired, injuring two crewmembers.
Officials said sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the set at around 1:50 P.M. MST, following a 911 call that indicated an individual had been shot. Production was immediately halted following the double shooting. The set was put on lockdown and an old church on the set was blocked off, according to local press reports.
A production spokesperson initially said, "There was an accident today on the New Mexico set of 'Rust' involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks. Two crew members have been taken to the hospital and are receiving care." The spokesperson added, "Production has been halted for the time being. The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority."
One of the crew members, a 42-year-old woman, was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital for stomach surgery and later died from her injuries, according to the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. The other victim, a 42-year-old man, remains in emergency care after being transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent's hospital.
The names of the victims have not been disclosed, but TMZ reports that the female crewmember is the movie's director of photography, while the other victim is the director. The director was reportedly hit in the clavicle.
Details of the incident are still unclear as it is still under investigation. "Detectives are investigating how [the prop firearm was used] and what type of projectile was discharged," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement. "This incident remains an active investigation. As more information becomes available, updates will be provided."
Sources tell Deadline that a principal castmember cocked a gun during rehearsal, unaware that there were live rounds in it. Baldwin was on the set during the accident, but he was unharmed.
Earlier that day, Baldwin posted on Instagram a picture of him in character, sporting what looks like fake blood stain on his shirt. "Back to in person at the office. Blimey…it's exhausting," he captioned the snap.
"Rust", written and directed by Joel Souza, follows Harland Rust (Baldwin), an infamous Western outlaw who travels to Kansas to break his 13-year-old grandson Lucas (Brady Noon), who is convicted of an accidental murder and sentenced to hang, out of prison. Together, they must outrun the legendary U.S. Marshal Wood Helm (Jensen Ackles) and bounty-hunter Fenton "Preacher" Lang (Travis Fimmel) who are hot on their tail.
