“Rust” misfortune
Assistant director was previously involved in a gun accident
On the set of “Rust” there was a fatal accident involving a firearm.
© imago images / ZUMA Wire / Roberto E. Rosales
After the fatal accident on the “Rust” set, more details come to light: the assistant director was previously involved in a similar incident.
The assistant director of the western “Rust” was apparently already involved in a gun accident. Dave Halls, who allegedly handed Alec Baldwin (63) the gun with live ammunition, was fired from the set of the film “Freedom’s Path” in 2019. The then production company announced this to several US media in a statement, CNN reported first.
In 2019, Halls also worked as an assistant director. According to the production, a gun “fired unexpectedly” on the set. A sound engineer shrank from it and was examined by a paramedic on the set. He advised him to seek medical treatment. The sound engineer returned to the set a few days later. The assistant director was fired immediately after the firearm was triggered. A report was also drawn up on the incident.
“After the production for that day was completed, Dave Halls was officially terminated and given the exact reasons for this,” the statement said. “Dave very much regretted the incident and understood the reasons for his release.” Arms master and assistant director have been exchanged and the production was “successfully completed”.
Halyna Hutchins died after an accident on the “Rust” set
On the set of “Rust” the assistant director handed actor Alec Baldwin a gun with the words that he could use it safely. However, the revolver was loaded with live ammunition, which, according to the authorities’ arrest warrant, neither Baldwin nor Halls knew about. The actor then accidentally shot camerawoman Halyna Hutchins (1979-2021), who died in the hospital. Director Joel Souza (48), who stood behind her, was also injured.