LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – The Assistant Director who gave Alec Baldwin a pistol with a live shot made his first remarks Monday about the film set shooting which resulted in Halyna Hutchins’ death.

Dave Halls stated to the New York Post that while he did not go into detail about the incident in New Mexico, he said that despite being shocked by the news, he felt saddened at Hutchins’ passing.

According to court papers, Halls claimed that Baldwin told him the gun was cold or safe after he gave it to him while he was preparing for the Western film. Halls was also quoted as telling Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department investigators that he did not thoroughly check the gun https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/questions-swirl-alec-baldwin-shooting-case-ahead-sheriffs-update-2021-10-27 before handing it to Baldwin.

Hutchins died after being shot, and Joel Souza sustained a shoulder injury when the gun went off. Santa Fe police are still investigating the matter, as well as how live bullets got onto the set.

Halls stated in the statement that Halyna Hutchins wasn’t just one of my most skilled colleagues, she was also a close friend.

He said, “I am shocked and saddened at her death.” “It is my hope that this tragedy will prompt the industry to reconsider its values and practice to make sure no one is hurt again through the creative process.”

Baldwin on Saturday said he would support limits https://www.reuters.com/world/us/alec-baldwin-calls-movie-shooting-death-one-trillion-episode-2021-10-30 on the use of real guns in films and television shows.

I’m no expert on this subject. The actor said to reporters that regardless of what other people think is best, as far as protecting film crew safety, I am all for it and would cooperate in any way I could.”