‘Enormous amount of bullets on set’: Criminal charges ‘not ruled out’ in ‘Rust’ shooting, ‘prop’ firearm was ‘legit gun,’ DA says

Criminal charges have not been ruled out amid the probe into a fatal on-set shooting during the filming of Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust,’ local prosecutors said, also noting the gun involved in the incident was a real firearm, not a prop.

“We haven’t ruled out anything,” Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies told the New York Times on Tuesday.

Everything at this point, including criminal charges, is on the table.

The DA added that the investigation is currently focused on ballistics as authorities attempt to determine exactly what kind of round killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza in the apparently accidental shooting on October 21. 

Breaking News: Criminal charges have not been ruled out in the fatal shooting on the set of the Alec Baldwin movie "Rust." The investigation, focusing on who had placed the ammunition in the gun, could take weeks. https://t.co/xhCi85Xt6U

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 26, 2021

Baldwin, who stars in the film and is billed as a top producer, was holding the weapon when it discharged on-set at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.

An “enormous amount of bullets” was found during a search of the set, Carmack-Altwies said, noting that detectives are still sorting out the different types of ammo, some of which appeared to be stored haphazardly. Some loose rounds were found around the scene, while other ammunition was found in boxes and some in a fanny pack. 

READ MORE: ‘Rust’ Assistant Director was FIRED from another movie set before Alec Baldwin shooting – reports

While many reports have referred to the firearm as a “prop,” the DA stressed that the weapon was real, saying “It was a legit gun. It was an antique-era appropriate gun,” rather than a mock-up.

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Investigators are also still unsure which crew member loaded the round into the firearm before it was ultimately passed to Baldwin, Carmack-Altwies said. A previous police report stated that an unnamed assistant director had shouted “cold gun!” as they handed over the firearm, indicating it was safe to handle, though it is unclear whether they or another worker actually prepared the weapon before the scene.

So far, no charges have been filed in relation to the shooting, and police say Baldwin is cooperating with their investigation. The county DA is set to offer more details on the case during a press conference on Wednesday morning.

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