By Lisa Richwine

SANTA FE (Reuters) – Nearly a week ago, actor Alec Baldwin shot and killed a member of his crew on a Western film set in New Mexico. Now, authorities are going to speak out publicly about the investigation into why a gun that was used as a prop ended up being deadly.

Adan Mendoza from Santa Fe County and Mary Carmack-Altwies, District Attorney Mary Carmack–Altwies are available to answer media questions on Wednesday regarding the tragic death of Halyna HUTCHINS, cinematographer. This happened during rehearsals for the film “Rust.”

Baldwin’s gun was held by Baldwin as he was practicing for the scene in a church. It is not clear what projectile it was that was being fired.

Although investigators believe that a forensic examination of the ballistic evidence could shed some light on these questions, they say not to expect any answers in any time soon. There have been no charges.

Juan Rios of Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department stated that “we need to be diligent in the investigation so, if there are charges ultimately filed,”

Rios stated that interviews are ongoing, and detectives might need to speak to up to 50 people.

Hollywood reeled with shockwaves from the incident, leading to anguished discussion about safety protocols for film and television as well working conditions in low-budget productions.

According to court documents, authorities have stated that Baldwin received what he believed was a safe or “cold” gun from the assistant director of the film. He took the cart, which was used by an employee who oversees firearms safety and security, known as an armorer.

The gun was actually loaded with “live rounds,” which police described as hitting Hutchins in her chest. Director Joel Souza stood behind Hutchins and hit him in the shoulder. Souza was taken to a hospital for treatment and then released.

Baldwin called the incident a tragic accident and is now cooperating with police.

Rust is the story of an accident killing that took place in 1880s. Production was stopped at Bonanza Creek (NYSE) Ranch.

According to court documents, detectives found two boxes of ammo, “loose ammunition and boxes”, as well as a “fanny pack with ammo” along with several used casings. However, they did not say whether the ammunition contained live bullets, dummy rounds or blank cartridges which are commonly used in TV sets and movies.

According to an affidavit from the sheriff’s office, the camera operators had protested working conditions before the incident.

Tens of thousands off-camera workers were due to strike last week in protest at low wages and long hours. However, the strike was canceled when a new labor deal was signed on October 16.

Rios stated that detectives will be looking into what happened on set in the days preceding the shooting and the actual incident.

“The sheriff’s office will be looking at the case from a wider perspective than the shooting on-set and the death of people,” he stated.