Alec Baldwin Fatal Shooting On ‘Rust’ Could See More Search Warrants Soon; Police Say Probe To Last “A While” - Deadline

With Wednesday’s much-anticipated press conference from law enforcement set to offer more information on the fatal shooting  of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin on the New Mexico set of Rust last week, police are saying today that the investigation into this tragedy is far from over.

“Both search warrants have been executed,” Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Juan Rios told Deadline today of the two documents issued by a New Mexico judge on October 22 to allow the police to probe the Bonanza Creek Ranch location where the shooting of the DP and director Joel Souza occurred on October 21.

Centering now on ballistics, the specifics of the police’s investigation is to learn what went wrong and who is responsible for the killing of Hutchins and the wounding of Souza in a gun with containing “live rounds,” according to an affidavit filed by Detective Joel Cole late last week.

The prospect of more search warrants and a long probe comes as Santa Fe’s top prosecutor told The New York Times today that “everything at this point, including criminal charges, is on the table.” Going on to call reports that crew members on the troubled $7 million-budgeted 1880s-set Rust had been using guns intended for the film for target practice after hours “unconfirmed,” First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies also made a point of referring to the weapon as “an antique, era-appropriate gun” and not a “prop gun” as the Sheriff’s Office and others have said during the past week.

After being handed the weapon by First Assistant Director David Halls and told it was “a cold gun,” Baldwin is said to have been “practicing a quick draw” when the weapon “discharged.” Indicating that all three “prop guns” were prepped by the on-set armorer Hannah Gutierrez, the First AD “did not know live rounds were in the prop gun,” according to the October 22 affidavit filed by Detective Joel Cano to ask for the initial two search warrants.

‘Rust’ Director Joel Souza “Gutted By The Loss” Of DP Halyna Hutchins Following Tragedy On Alec Baldwin Western.