Alec Baldwin spoke publicly for the first time after fatally shooting a cameraman on the set: "She was my friend"
63-year-old Alec Baldwin spoke to reporters for the first time after the tragic incident on the set of the film "Rust", which claimed the life of 42-year-old cameraman Galina Hutchins. Then the actor, right while working on one of the scenes, accidentally shot his colleague in the picture with a pistol, mistakenly loaded with live ammunition.
Yesterday, Alec got out of the car to reporters chasing him at every turn right on the highway in Vermont. Baldwin admitted that until the investigation is completed, he has no right to make any comments about what happened. Nevertheless, the actor still decided to answer some questions from journalists.
A woman died. She was my friend. That day I came to Santa Fe to start filming. I invited her (Galina Hutchins. - Ed.) for dinner together with the directors of the picture Joel Sauce. We were a very close-knit team and worked together on a new project, and then this terrible tragedy happened,
Alec said.
Next to Baldwin at the time of communication with journalists was his wife Hilaria. The woman was visibly annoyed and filmed everything that was happening on her phone camera. Hilaria was especially outraged by the fact that the reporters did not know the name of the innocent victim of the incident.
Her name is Galina. If you spend so much time spying on us, you should know her name," the actor's wife nervously addressed reporters.
Hilaria kept trying to finish the interview, but Alec calmed his wife every time, assuring her that he was ready to answer reporters' questions. Baldwin said that he is in constant contact with the husband of the deceased Galina Hutchins, who is now "overwhelmed with grief."
We are very worried about her family and the child (Galina has an eight-year-old son. - Ed.). As I said, we are looking forward to the Sheriff's Department informing us of the completion of the investigation,
Baldwin asked.
Alec added that the tragedy that occurred on the set is "one of a trillion cases." The actor also considers it necessary to raise the issue of the further use of firearms on the set:
This is America. How many bullets have been fired in movies and on TV before? Billions. But we must understand that when something goes wrong and a tragedy happens, some new measures must be taken — the use of plastic pistols, no live ammunition. But it's not for me to decide. It is very important to understand: I am not an expert in this field. Therefore, whatever other people decide to ensure the safety of people on the set, I will always be for and ready to cooperate in any possible way.
Alec Baldwin also admitted that work on the film "Rust" is unlikely to continue. At the end of the conversation with journalists, he asked them to stop following him and his family. After that, he and Hilaria returned to the car with the children.
My kids are crying in the car right now. Out of politeness, I came out to talk to you. I am not allowed to comment on the investigation. I communicate with police officers every day. I'm just asking you... Please, could you leave us alone?
Baldwin asked reporters.
Recall that the tragedy on the set of the film "Rust" occurred on October 21. According to The New York Times, before entering the frame, the gun was handed to Alec by the assistant director of the picture with the words that it was not loaded. With his shot, Baldwin killed Galina Hutchins and wounded the film's director Joel Sousa (he was discharged from the hospital shortly after the incident). According to rumors, shortly before the incident, the film crew complained about a violation of safety rules. Some workers even allegedly left the site in protest.
