Alec Baldwin

Source: Gage Skidmore / Wiki Commons

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has released a statement expressing his “shock and sadness” over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed in an accident on the New Mexico set of western Rust when the actor reportetdly fired a prop gun.

It has also emerged according to reports that an email sent by an IATSE union local chapter said the prop gun contained a ”live single round”. The information had not been confirmed by local police at time of writing. The report went on to say that IATSE Local 44 said New Mexico crew members were staffing props, set decoration, special effects and construction departments on the production and not its members.

Baldwin, who is also a producer on the film, said on Twitter: “There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours.

“I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred.”

Director Joel Souza was also injured in the accident, but he is understood to now be out of hospital.

The authorities said in a statement: “This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident.”