Court records in the Alec Baldwin case have revealed that
the actor was handed a loaded weapon by an assistant director who indicated it
was safe to use in the moments before he fatally shot cinematographer Halyna
Hutchins.

The assistant director did not know the prop gun was loaded
with live rounds, according to a search warrant filed in a Santa Fe court, the
Associated Press reported.

Hutchins was shot in the chest while Director Joel Souza,
who was standing behind her, was wounded, the records said.

The warrant was obtained on Friday so that investigators could
document the scene at the ranch where the shooting took place. It notes that
Baldwin’s blood-stained costume for the Western film “Rust” was taken
as evidence, as was the weapon that was fired.

Investigators also seized other prop guns and ammunition
that were being used during the shooting of the film.

Earlier in the day, Baldwin described the killing as a
“tragic accident.” Baldwin was performing at the time of the
shooting, the sheriff’s office said. It was unclear how many rounds were fired,
and little was known about the weapon.

“There are no words to convey my shock and sadness
regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife,
mother, and deeply admired colleague of ours. I’m fully cooperating with the
police investigation,” Baldwin wrote on Twitter.

“My heart is broken
for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna,” the tweet added.

Sheriff’s spokesman Juan Rios said detectives were at the
set Friday morning gathering evidence and information.

No immediate charges were filed, and Baldwin is permitted to
travel, he said.

“He’s a free man,” Rios said.

Images of the 63-year-old actor — known for his roles in
“30 Rock” and “The Hunt for Red October” and his impression
of former President Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live” — showed
him distraught outside the sheriff’s office on Thursday.

Guns used in making movies are sometimes real weapons that
can fire either bullets or blanks, which are gunpowder charges that produce a
flash and a bang but no deadly projectile. However, even blanks can eject hot
gases and paper or plastic wadding from the barrel that can be lethal at close
range.

(With AP inputs)