Hollywood has a bit of a reputation for connivery, and it appears as though the fangs are beginning to show again this week.
Just days ago, Alec Baldwin shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of a new movie called “Rust”. In the ensuing days the investigation into the incident took a sinister turn, with revelations about live ammunition having been spent during downtime, in the actual weapon used on the set.
Then, unforgivably, it was revealed that the assistant director had not examined the firearm before declaring it a “cold gun” to the crew.
The latest twist to the tale appears to demonstrate the serious turbulence within the production itself.
Hannah Gutierrez Reed spoke out to deny certain rumors about the on-set shooting involving Alec Baldwin that left cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dead.
Gutierrez Reed, the armorer on the set of “Rust” who was responsible for the safety and handling of firearms on the set, is a main focus of the investigation into the death of Hutchins, according to Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza. She was one of the very few people who handled the gun prior to Baldwin discharging it on set last Thursday.
However, in a statement made through her attorneys that was provided to Fox News, New Mexico-based lawyers Jason Bowles and Robert Gorence, Gutierrez Reed blamed rushed conditions on the low-budget set for the tragic mishap. She also disputed rumors that the crew used live ammunition for target practice and denied responsibility for two discharges that happened previously, according to the statement.
And then…
“Safety is Hannah’s number one priority on set,” her attorneys said in the statement. “Ultimately this set would never have been compromised if live ammo were not introduced. Hannah has no idea where the live rounds came from.”
The armorer on the Alec Baldwin movie ‘Rust’ spoke out about the on-set accident. (Jim Spellman/Getty Images)
The statement notes that Gutierrez Reed continues to assert her claim that she never witnessed live rounds used in any of the guns she handled for the movie “Rust.” They also noted that she would not allow the use of live rounds under any circumstances.
Authorities have insisted that there is still the potential for charges to be filed in the case, though none have been brought at the time of this writing.
