Alec Baldwin rehearsing a shot towards the camera when he made the fatal shot
The film's director, Joel Souza, claims in his statement that he heard what "sounded like a whip and then a loud bang"
Actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing a scene in which he pointed a prop pistol at the camera target when he fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, according to US media, citing an affidavit from the film's director about the tragedy.
The film's director, Joel Souza, who was standing behind Hutchins when the gun was fired, said he heard what "sounded like a whip and then a loud bang," according to his statement released Sunday by the night by American media.
Alec Baldwin was "sitting in a church pew on set, practicing a cross draw. Joel said he was looking over Halayna's shoulder" when he heard the shot, NBC News reported.
According to Souza's affidavit, Hutchins was "complaining" of a pain in his stomach at the time.
"Joel also said that Halayna started stumbling backwards and was assisted by her into setting her up on the ground," according to NBC. "Joel explained that he was bleeding from her shoulder and that he could see blood on Halayna."
Hutchins, 42, was hit in the chest Thursday when Baldwin fired the prop pistol - which he had been told was safe - while filming the low-budget western "Rust" in New Mexico. She was pronounced dead at the hospital hours later.
Souza, 48, was treated by doctors and released.
Police are still investigating the shooting and executed a search warrant on set.
Baldwin has been interviewed by detectives in Santa Fe and has said that he is fully cooperating with the investigation.
THE ASSISTANT WHO GAVE THE WEAPON TO BALDWIN
Attention has also focused on the film's assistant director, Dave Halls, who handed the gun over to the actor, and on the gunsmith, 24-year-old Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. However, no charges have been brought or arrests made.
The incident occurred after a lunch break, Souza said in the affidavit, adding that he was unsure whether the safety of the weapon had been rechecked after the break.
A camera operator claimed the incident was not recorded because the cast and crew were still preparing for the scene.
The new details emerged as Hutchins' shocked friends and colleagues gathered to pay tribute to him Sunday at a vigil displaying their anguish and his anger.
Calls for a ban on live firearms on movie sets have grown in number: A petition gathered more than 20,000 signatures and a California legislator announced he would push for a bill to ban live ammunition on movie sets. state.
