Fatal shot on set: what we know about the drama in which Alec Baldwin is involved

Antoine Terrel with Élise Denjean and AFP 1:52 p.m., October 22, 2021, modified at 1:53 p.m., October 22, 2021

DECRYPTION

The circumstances of the drama are still unclear.

On Thursday, on the set of a movie in New Mexico, actor Alec Baldwin shot and killed the cinematographer and director, presumably by accident.

An investigation has been opened, but no prosecution has yet been initiated, the famous actor having also already been questioned.

Europe 1 takes stock of what we know about the incident. 

What happened ?

The drama occurred on the set of

, a western starring the American actor.

According to the sheriff's services, the incident was caused by a gun that served as an accessory on the set.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza "suffered gunshot wounds when Alec Baldwin unloaded a gun used in filming," Santa Fe County Sheriff's Services said in a statement to AFP.

According to the

, who quotes a spokesperson for the production, the prop had to be blank loaded.

Local newspaper

published images of a visibly distraught Alec Baldwin taken in the parking lot on set after the tragedy.

The same source specifies that his reporters saw the actor in tears after his questioning by investigators.

Who are the victims ? 

Halyna Hutchins, 42, was the cinematographer on the film.

She was evacuated by helicopter to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medics.

Living in Los Angeles, she was considered a rising star in American cinema.

Born in Ukraine, she grew up in a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle, according to her website.

The other victim is

director

Joel Souza, 48.

He was admitted to intensive care. 

Where is the investigation? 

The investigation continued on Friday and no prosecution has been initiated at this point.

The actor "was questioned by the police," spokesman for the sheriff of Santa Fe, Juan Rios, told AFP.

"He provided statements and answered some questions. He introduced himself voluntarily and left the building after the interrogations were over."

Unsurprisingly, the shooting was stopped for an indefinite period.

"The entire cast and crew are totally devastated by today's tragedy, and we send our sincere condolences to Halyna's family and loved ones," the production spokesperson said in a statement. .

"We are fully cooperating" with the investigation, he added. 

Have there been any precedents? 

Yes.

In 1993, Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee, was killed on the set of the movie 

.

The autopsy had revealed that the young actor had been hit by a 44 caliber projectile which remained stuck in the barrel and dislodged by the detonation of the blank cartridge.

The prosecutor in charge of the investigation had then concluded with the "negligence".