The assistant director of the film “Rust”, who handed actor Alec Baldwin the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, on Monday said he hopes the tragedy prompts the film industry to “reevaluate its values and practices” to ensure no one is harmed again on sets.

Finally breaking his silence following the October 21 fatal shooting, David Halls released a statement to the New York Post, breaking his silence of  Hutchins and the wounding of director Joel Souza during the production of the Western “Rust” in New Mexico.

Halls said Hutchins was a friend and one of the most talented people he has worked with.

“I’m shocked and saddened by her death,” he said in the statement. “It’s my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again.”

Also Read: ‘Rust’ crew used live ammunition hours before shooting incident: Report

Halls didn’t provide any details of what he thinks might be reformed or how changes might have helped avoid what happened on the set of “Rust.”

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about Halls’ safety record by colleagues on two previous productions. However, he hasn’t addressed his past records. 

A gun “unexpectedly discharged” on the sets of the Hollywood flick ‘Freedom’s Path’ in 2019 with Halls working on the film. The production of the film was reportedly halted after the incident, in which a sound crew member recoiled from the blast, according to reports from CNN citing the Rocket Soul Studios.  

The production house said that the crew member was given medical attention by an on-set professional and was advised to seek treatment. However, the unnamed crew member returned to the production a few days later.

The company ejected Halls from sets of ‘Freedom’s Path’ and was later fired from the production.

Meanwhile, the inquiry on the case is still underway, and police have stated that considerable work remains to be done before charges are considered.

The circumstances of the movie-set shooting have perplexed Hollywood professionals. Other production crews have already increased their safety precautions as a result.

With inputs from the Associated Press