Alec Baldwin to give first interview after fatal 'Rust' shooting

Actor will sit down for first in-depth discussion since accidental shooting in October

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

Actor Alec Baldwin will give his first structured interview since the fatal shooting on the film set of the movie Rust on Thursday with ABC's George Stephanopoulos.

Baldwin fired a prop gun loaded with live ammunition on the Rust set in New Mexico on October 21, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

It will be the first time Baldwin has spoken in depth about the shooting. The interview will air on ABC at 8pm EST on Thursday and stream on Hulu later that evening.

ABC said a two-hour special episode of 20/20 next week will feature a thorough examination of the investigation into the shooting and more clips from the Stephanopoulos interview.

“I have done thousands of interviews at ABC News over the last 20 years. This was the most intense that I have ever experienced,” Stephanopoulos said on Good Morning America on Wednesday morning.

In previewing the interview, Stephanopoulos described Baldwin as “raw” and “very candid".

Thursday's interview will be the first time Baldwin publicly comments on the shooting since speaking to reporters who had intercepted him and his wife Hilaria in Manchester, Vermont.

“There are incidental accidents on film sets from time to time, but nothing like this. This is a one in a trillion episode,” Baldwin said.

A lawsuit filed last month accused the actor of recklessly firing the gun that killed Hutchins and injured Mr Souza. It was the second lawsuit to be filed against Baldwin following the shooting.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armourer responsible for weapons on the film set, said she had “no idea” why live rounds were present.

On Tuesday, authorities searched the premises of an Albuquerque-based firearms and ammunition supplier though no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report