By Lisa Richwine

SANTA FE N.M. (Reuters – A movie director was injured and shot in an incident on the set that involved actor Alec Baldwin. He said on Saturday that he is devastated by the passing of the cinematographer.

Joel Souza was struck in the shoulder by Baldwin’s prop gun that contained live rounds. He broke his silence on the third day of the investigation. There are still many questions about how this happened.

Halyna, my colleague and friend, has passed away. Souza stated in a statement that she was strong, kind, and vibrant.

According to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, the shot struck Halyna HUTCHINS in the chest. The wounds she sustained caused her death. Souza, the man behind her was hurt but eventually was released.

Souza did not give details of the accident or his injuries but said he was “humbled and grateful by the outpouring of affection we have received from our filmmaking community, the people of Santa Fe, and the hundreds of strangers who have reached out.”

Friday’s Santa Fe Judge approved a warrant authorizing the Sheriff’s Office to seize ammunition, firearms and clothing from Bonanza Creek Ranch. This Ranch is located outside Santa Fe. Baldwin was shooting the Western low-budget “Rust”.

The road to the Ranch was guarded by security personnel on Saturday.

A sheriff’s detective filed an affidavit stating that Baldwin received what he thought was a “cold” or safe prop gun at a Thursday rehearsal. However, it had live rounds and was fired when it arrived.

The case has been closed.

U.S media identified the armorer crew member as a woman aged 24 who was responsible for handling weapons on set. She spoke earlier this year on a podcast about her father’s experience and how she learned the job, but only recently had the opportunity to work as the head armorer on her first movie. On Saturday, the woman was unable to be reached.

Hutchins was to be remembered by the International Cinematographers Guild at a candlelight vigil on Saturday in Albuquerque (about 40 miles (64) from the ranch. On Sunday, a second Vigil was planned for the Los Angeles area.

“Halyna instilled us with her passion, vision, and her legacy that is far too significant to sum up in words. Matt Hutchins, husband of Halyna Hutchins expressed his sorrow on Twitter (NYSE

In Hutchins’ honour, the American Film Institute established a scholarship fund to support female cinematographers.

Baldwin (63), best-known for his TV roles in “30 Rock” comedy and “Saturday Night Live,” impersonations of ex-US President Donald Trump on Saturday night, stated that he was heartbroken by Hutchins’ death. He was also fully cooperating with authorities.

Multimedia reports, and accounts from social media indicate that several members of the “Rust crew” quit their jobs due to concerns over safety before Thursday’s shooting.

“We listed everything, from not paying for three weeks to taking our hotels away, despite asking for them, Covid safety issues, and, of course, poor gun safety. On-set safety is poor! One camera crew member posted on a private Facebook page (NASDAQ.) according to Deadline.com.

Rust Film Productions released a statement Friday saying that they were investigating the incident.

According to the company, “We were not informed of any formal complaints about prop and weapon safety on set,” they said.