Alec
Baldwin fired a prop gun, which he did not know was loaded, on the sets of
Hollywood film “Rust” killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring Joel
Souza, the film’s director. Now, days after the incident and the police
launching an investigation, the crew member who gave Baldwin the prop gun that
would eventually kill Hutchins has spoken out.

“Halyna
Hutchins was not just one of the most talented people I’ve worked with, but
also a friend. It’s my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to re-evaluate
its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process
again,” said David Halls, the crew member who handed Baldwin the gun told New
York Post.

He
further said that he has been overwhelmed by the “love and support” and wrote, “My
thoughts are with all who knew and loved Halyna.”

David
Halls’ role in the incident that led to Halyna Hutchins’ death has been under
scrutiny since last month after he told law enforcement officials that he had
failed to check the firearm before the fatal incident.

Assistant
director Halls, along with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was in charge of
checking and handling weapons on set. It is said that Halls handed Alec Baldwin
the weapon while announcing that the gun was “cold”, a Hollywood colloquialization
which means the gun is inert.

Halls
told detectives that he “should have checked” that all the rounds in the Colt
.45 gun were dummy, or inert, rounds, “but didn’t”.

The incident on the set of the Hollywood western
has raised serious arguments about gun safety on film sets. Nearly 100,000
people have signed a petition to remove firearms from sets, adding that effects
such as the loud bang and muzzle flash can easily be added to fake rubber guns
in post-production.