Criminal charges possible in 'Rust' movie shooting, prosecutor says

A day after actor Alec Baldwin gave his first interview since the shooting, a district attorney has said those involved could be criminally culpable

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  Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP

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  A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP

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  The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

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  The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP

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  A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters

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  Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

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  Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP

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  Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP

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  Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

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  The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal

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  A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP

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  A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP

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  Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP

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  A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP

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  A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP

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  A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP

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  New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

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  Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters

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  Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

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  A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

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  People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

Some of the people who handled guns on the set of Alec Baldwin's movie Rust may face criminal charges in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer, the New Mexico district attorney said on Friday.

Mary Carmack-Altwies said in a statement that she had not made any decision yet on charges but that everyone involved "in the handling and use of firearms on the set had a duty to behave in a manner such that the safety of others was protected."

Once the investigation is complete "certain individuals may be criminally culpable for his/her actions and/or inactions on the set of Rust," she said.

Carmack-Altwies gave no indication of when the investigation might conclude.

Her statement followed a television interview on Thursday by Baldwin, who was holding the gun when it fired a live bullet and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza during a rehearsal in October on a ranch near Santa Fe.

Baldwin said in the interview that he did not believe he was responsible for Hutchins's death and that he did not think he would be criminally charged. The actor had been told by a crew member that the gun was safe.

"I feel someone is responsible for what happened, but I know it isn't me. I might have killed myself if I thought I was responsible, and I don't say that lightly," Baldwin told ABC television's George Stephanopoulos in his first public comments on the accident.

"I've been told by people in the know ... that it is highly unlikely I would be charged with anything criminally," said Baldwin, who has been interviewed by the investigators.

Baldwin said that as an actor he was not responsible for checking the gun, or what it was loaded with. He also said he did not pull the trigger but the revolver fired as he cocked the gun while practising a shot.

"I let go of the hammer of the gun and it goes off," he said in Thursday's interview.

Authorities in Santa Fe have been focusing their attention on how live bullets found their way on to the set.

A lawyer for armorer Hannah Gutierrez, who was in charge of weapons, has said she checked the gun before it was handed to Baldwin by assistant director Dave Halls, who shouted that it was "cold" or safe.