Alec Baldwin discharged prop gun that killed ‘Rust’ crew member on film set: authorities

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An accident on the set of Alec Baldwin’s movie, "Rust," at the Bonanza Creek Ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico, sent two members of the film crew to the hospital. One of them, a woman, has died, Fox News has confirmed.

A press release from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department said deputies were dispatched to the set around 1:50 p.m. local time, and the call indicated that an individual had been shot.

Investigators said that the prop firearm was being used during filming when it was discharged by Baldwin, hitting his director of photography, Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged, the sheriff said.

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Halyna Hutchins attends the SAGindie Sundance Filmmakers Reception at Cafe Terigo on January 28, 2019 in Park City, Utah. ?(Photo by Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie)

According to the media release, one shooting victim – a 42-year-old female – was transported via helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she later died, the sheriff’s office confirmed. 

The second victim – a 42-year-old male – was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he is undergoing emergency treatment.

An accident on the set of Alec Baldwin’s movie, ‘Rust,’ at the Bonanza Creek Ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, N.M., sent two members of the film crew to the hospital. A woman has died and a man remains hospitalized. (Jim Spellman/Getty Images)

A production spokesperson from Rust Movie Productions LLC told Deadline in a statement Thursday that the accident  involved "the misfire of a prop gun with blanks" and that "production has been halted for the time being."

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"The safety of our cast and crew remains our top priority," the statement adds. 

Investigators said that the prop firearm was being used during filming when it was discharged by Baldwin. (NEWS NATION via KRQE)

A spokesperson for the department relayed to Deadline that criminal investigators were called to the set on the Bonanza Creek Ranch Thursday afternoon. It's unclear if that's standard police protocol. 

The sheriff’s office said in its statement that the accident remains under active investigation and no charges have been filed.

Detectives are investigating how and what type of projectile was discharged, the sheriff said. (NEWS NATION via KRQE)

In the film, Baldwin stars as Harland Rust, an outlaw who helps his estranged grandson get out of prison in Kansas after the 13-year-old is "convicted of an accidental murder and sentenced to hang," according to Deadline.

The sheriff’s office said in its statement that the accident remains under active investigation and no charges have been filed. (NEWS NATION via KRQE)

Earlier on Thursday, Baldwin shared a photo of himself in full character to Instagram with the caption: "Back to in person at the office. Blimey … it’s exhausting."

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In ‘Rust,’ Alec Baldwin stars as Harland Rust, an outlaw who helps his estranged grandson get out of prison in Kansas after the 13-year-old is 'convicted of an accidental murder and sentenced to hang.' (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

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A rep for Baldwin as well as reps for the production company did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.

Fox News' Lauryn Overhultz and Mariah Haas contributed to this report.