Rust director describes second he was shot by Alec Baldwin – and divulges what armourer mentioned to him

A movie director has described the second he was shot by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust – and revealed what the film’s armourer mentioned to him instantly afterwards.

Baldwin, lead actor and co-producer of the movie, was holding the gun when it fired and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set close to Santa Fe on 21 October 2021.

Rust director Joel Souza was hit by the identical bullet that killed Ms Hutchins however didn’t pursue any authorized motion.

Weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is on trial charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Baldwin, 65, faces a separate trial on the identical prices in July. Both have pleaded not responsible, with Baldwin claiming he by no means pulled the set off.

Called to testify at Gutierrez-Reed’s trial on Friday, Mr Souza recalled that he moved behind Ms Hutchins to get a better take a look at the digital camera angle – however by no means noticed the gun that shot him.

“I got up behind her just to try to see on the monitor and there was an incredibly loud bang,” he advised the courtroom. “This was deafening.”

Describing the second he noticed Gutierrez-Reed after he was shot, he added: “I remember her saying ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry Joel’.

“And I keep in mind anyone simply screaming at her and so they simply ushered her out.”

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On Thursday, jurors had been proven footage of Baldwin waving a gun earlier than the taking pictures.

They additionally heard from assistant director David Halls, who final 12 months entered a plea cut price for negligent use of a lethal weapon, receiving a six-month suspended sentence.

He was emotional at instances as he advised the courtroom: “I was negligent checking the gun properly.”

His testimony additionally included an account of standing round a metre away from Ms Hutchins when the one gunshot rang out. As she was on the bottom, he requested if she was all proper.

“She said, ‘I can’t feel my legs’,” he mentioned.

Halls mentioned he struggled to grasp how a stay spherical might have been fired. “The idea that it was a live round of ammunition that went off… it wasn’t computing,” he mentioned.

Halls additionally defended Baldwin, saying the actor didn’t endanger security by dashing manufacturing, as prosecutors allege.

Lawyers for Gutierrez-Reed say issues on the set had been past her management. Prosecutors say she is guilty for bringing stay ammunition on set, which is towards the legislation.

The trial continues.