As investigations continue into the horrific, accidental yet fatal, shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by actor Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed released a statement on Thursday night through her attorneys to NBC News. The statement read that “safety” was her “number one priority on set” as per attorneys Jason Bowles and Robert Gorence.
The statement also said that the introduction of live ammo had compromised the set. The statement read, “Hannah has no idea where the live rounds came from.”
Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys also said in the the statement that “the guns were locked up every night and at lunch”
According to NBC the statement also said that Hannah and the prop master had gained control over the guns. It also stated that she had never seen anyone shoot live rounds “with these guns” and that she would not have permitted it.
CNN reported that on Friday morning an inventory list was released. A search warrant conducted on a prop truck on the set of Rust in New Mexico said that the following items were seized:
one replica firearm
12 revolvers
one rifle
ammunition
photographs
a spent blank round
an empty box of ammunition.
The investigation into the fatal shooting incident which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza will be long and complex. Although it was actor Alec Baldwin who fired the fatal shot, assistant director Dave Hall shouted “cold gun” which meant that there was no live ammo and the antique Colt gun handed to the actor had blanks. The guns were reportedly kept in a trolley outside, which might be considered unsafe and not secure.
According to CNN law enforcement official said that they would like a followup interview after Hannah Gutierrez-Reed released a statement through her attorneys. The statement brought up issues which the investigators would like to pursue. Investigators have not as yet received a response on whether she will agree to a follow up interview.
The source also told CNN that Alec Baldwin was in direct contact with investigators. He had willingly answered all the follow-up questions that were posed by detectives.
