Alec Baldwin denies pulling trigger in 'Rust' shooting

The actor's first major interview since the tragedy is set to be broadcast on Thursday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

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

Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

Alec Baldwin has said he did not pull the trigger of the gun he was holding that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set of Rust.

In his first major interview since the tragedy in October, the US actor says he has "no idea" how a live round got on to the set of the low-budget Western in New Mexico.

"The trigger wasn't pulled – I didn't pull the trigger," he says in an excerpt of the interview with ABC News released on Wednesday.

"No, no, no. I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never."

In the interview, set to be broadcast in full on ABC on Thursday, Baldwin does not elaborate on how the weapon went off.

Baldwin, also a producer on Rust, was rehearsing a scene in which his character brandishes a Colt 45 when Hutchins was shot and killed.

The weapon was meant to contain a dummy round, and Baldwin was asked in the interview how a real bullet ended up in the firearm.

"I have no idea. Someone put a live bullet in a gun – a bullet that wasn't even supposed to be on the property," says Baldwin.

Prosecutors have refused to rule out criminal charges against anyone involved with Rust, including Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Gutierrez-Reed has also said she has "no idea" why live rounds were present.

On Tuesday, investigators said Seth Kenney, an Arizona weapons rental supplier, may have supplied "reloaded ammunition" that matched the cartridge suspected to have contained the live round that killed Hutchins.

"Reloaded ammunition" refers to rounds that are assembled from component parts, not manufactured as complete live rounds.

"The Sheriff's office has taken a huge step forward today to unearth the full truth of who put the live rounds on the Rust set," Gutierrez-Reed's lawyers said in a statement on Tuesday.

The full one-hour ABC interview with Baldwin will be broadcast on Thursday at 8pm Eastern Time.

"Even now, I find it hard to believe," says a tearful Baldwin in the preview clip. "It just doesn't seem real to me.

"I think back, and I think of, 'What could I have done?'"