Alec Baldwin's Prop Gun Contained Single Live Round, Hollywood Union Says

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was transported by helicopter after the fatal shooting on Thursday to the University of Mexico Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The prop gun actor Alec Baldwin used in the accidental shooting that killed a cinematographer and injured the director on the set of the upcoming Western movie 'Rust' contained a “live round”, a Hollywood union said, according to Indie Wire.

IATSE Local 44, a union which represents those in the props department, sent an email to members on Friday morning, saying “a single live round was accidentally fired on set by the principal actor”. The memo clarified that the production’s prop-master was not a member of Local 44.

The tragic incident occurred on the set of 'Rust' at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a production location south of Santa Fe. Baldwin voluntarily gave a statement about the shooting at the sheriff's office, which said that no charges had been filed and the investigation remained "open and active".

A statement from the sheriff's department read: “The sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot on the set of Rust. Halyna Hutchins, 42, director of photography and Joel Souza, 48, director, were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 63, producer and actor."

"Ms Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Mr Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries. This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives,” it continued.

Souza’s representatives confirmed to Deadline on Friday morning that the filmmaker had been released from the medical centre in Santa Fe.

A heartbroken Baldwin was spotted in tears after the accident and repeatedly asked why he was handed a “hot gun”, a firearm with live ammunition, according to an eyewitness.

The movie production was immediately halted.

Baldwin is a co-producer of 'Rust', a Western movie set in 1880s Kansas. The 63-year-old actor also plays the principal character who is an outlaw grandfather of a 13-year-old boy convicted of an accidental killing.