Gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez, who was responsible for revolvers and ammunition during the filming of the western “Rust”, blames gun dealer Seth Kenney for the fatal shot at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
In a lawsuit against Kenney, who rents guns and movie props in New Mexico and Arizona, the twenty-four-year-old said on Wednesday that he had provided her with a mix of live ammunition and blanks.
"Hannah and the entire film crew relied on the defendant's portrayal that he had only supplied blank cartridges," said the complaint in a court in New Mexico. Cinematographer Hutchins was hit by a bullet on October 21 while actor Alec Baldwin was practicing gripping techniques at a rehearsal scene at a state film ranch. The 42-year-old native of Ukraine later died in hospital.
After allegations of Gutierrez 'careless handling of weapons on set, the gunsmith also blamed Baldwin and assistant director Dave Halls in her 24-page complaint.
Baldwin, the main actor and co-producer, kept skipping lessons.
Halls allegedly failed to check the revolver and ammunition before handing the gun to Baldwin on October 21 with the reference to "cold gun" indicating blank cartridges.