Four years after the tragic on-set shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the trailer for Alec Baldwin’s “Rust” has been released, prompting renewed scrutiny and outrage. Exclusive crime scene photos obtained by RadarOnline.com offer a chilling glimpse into the horrific aftermath of the incident.
The tragedy unfolded in October 2021, when Baldwin, 66, was rehearsing a scene with a prop gun on the “Rust” set. The gun discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
‘Rust’ Crime Scene Photos Reveal Horrifying Aftermath of Halyna Hutchins Shooting, Sparking Outrage Over Film’s Release
The newly released case files contain disturbing evidence, including photos of the Colt .45 revolver Baldwin was holding and the shell casing of the projectile that struck Hutchins and lodged in Souza’s shoulder.
Reports detail the chaotic moments leading up to the shooting. Baldwin allegedly stated, “So, I guess I’m gonna take this out, pull it and go, ‘Bang!'” before the gun fired. Hutchins stumbled, and Souza cried out in pain. Baldwin, reportedly confused, asked, “What the f— just happened?”
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but Hutchins, 42, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Souza, 51, survived. The crime scene photos capture the grim reality of the situation, showing Hutchins’ blood-soaked clothing and the areas where emergency medical personnel had to cut away her shirt to attend to her wounds.
The investigation was further complicated by the presence of fake prop blood on the set, requiring FBI analysis to distinguish it from actual blood. A crime scene technician testified that the red stains on Baldwin’s clothing were indeed “movie blood.”
Investigators also collected documents from the rehearsal, including shot lists and scripts that eerily mirrored the film’s plot and the real-life tragedy. “Rust,” set in the 1880s, stars Baldwin as an outlaw who helps his grandson escape after he accidentally kills a rancher. The script revealed that the scene being rehearsed involved a confrontation between Baldwin’s character and another.
Production on “Rust” was initially halted after the shooting while investigators probed how a live bullet found its way into the prop gun and why real ammunition was present on set. Filming ultimately resumed and concluded in 2023.
Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger and was unaware that the gun contained live ammunition instead of dummy rounds. He was indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges but the case was later dismissed after his lawyers argued that the prosecution withheld evidence.
The release of the “Rust” trailer has been met with significant criticism, with many expressing disgust that the film is being released after such a tragic event. The trailer credits Hutchins as cinematographer and lists her husband, Matthew, as an executive producer.
Public reaction has been strong, with comments such as, “Why do I feel like this movie is gonna flop… they should have scrapped it after what happened,” and “All the profits should go to Halyna Hutchens’ family.” Another person questioned, “How can anyone see a movie when we know the director was murdered during its production?”
