Film director Joel Souza says he is completely devastated after film photographer Halyna Hutchins died of a shot during the filming of the western film “Rust”.
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Souza was hit in the shoulder by the shot from the prop weapon that was fired by actor and producer Alec Baldwin. He was treated in hospital and then discharged.
– I am completely devastated after the loss of my friend and colleague Halyna, Souza says Deadline.
– She was kind, lively, enormously gifted, fought hard and pushed me to get better.
Souza also says he is overwhelmed by all the support that has come from colleagues in the film industry, people in Santa Fe and hundreds of people he does not know.
The union that Hutchin was a member of, IATSE Local 600, has started a fundraiser for her widower and nine-year-old son. In 24 hours, about 1 million kroner has been collected.
According to court documents, Baldwin was given the weapon by an assistant director who said it was safe.
The filming took place in New Mexico, and the fatal shooting happened on Thursday.
Hutchins, who originally came from Ukraine, was hit in the chest. Souza stood right behind her and was hit in the shoulder. No one is currently charged in the case.
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