It seems like history has repeated itself and claimed another victim this time.
Trigger Warning: This story discusses gun violence that may be disturbing to readers.
On October 21, 2021, a movie that was being shot came to a standstill after one of the prop guns killed the cinematographer on set. The tragic accidental shooting took place on the set of the Alec Baldwin film Rust.
On October 21, 2021, at around 1:50 pm local time in Mexico, cops received a 911 call indicating "an individual had been shot on set," the Santa Fe Sheriff's Department wrote in a press release. Further investigation revealed that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and director Joel Souza, 48, were "shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Baldwin, 68, producer, and actor."
While Souza is still critical, Hutchins died of her injuries even after receiving emergency care.
This is Halyna Hutchins. She was shot by #AlecBaldwin on a movie set. She leaves behind a husband & a young son.
— Ziba رویا (@ZibaLady1) October 23, 2021
Baldwin is a Free Man. No charges!
There are police officers who get arrested & prosecuted for accidentally shooting someone. #ArrestAlecBaldwin pic.twitter.com/wS67OqVhkL
What's surprising and unfortunate is the fact that this is not the first time something like this has happened. In fact, 28 years ago, the world lost a gem: a budding actor, because of a similar "avoidable tragedy."
Martial arts master Bruce Lee's son, Brandon Lee, was a part of a movie called The Crow. During its shooting, he was killed, after another actor shot him using a gun that was supposed to have only been loaded with blanks, according to PEOPLE. The shocking incident took place in March 1993.
Heartbreakingly, Lee was to get married in April 1993, to the love of his life, Eliza Hutton, who was also an additional crew on The Crow. "Twenty-eight years ago, I was shattered by the shock and grief of losing the love of my life, Brandon Lee, so senselessly," said Hutton. Now, to see the same thing happen, yet again, on a movie set, is just heartbreaking for her.
There’s no such thing as a prop gun pic.twitter.com/u8NeVoRVYJ
— Eliza Hutton (@ElizaHutton1) October 23, 2021
"My heart aches again now for Halyna Hutchins' husband and son, and for all those left in the wake of this avoidable tragedy," Hutton said, adding, "I urge those in positions to make a change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets."
In the wake of the Rust shooting, Brandon's sister Shannon Lee also shared a statement, acknowledging the loss. "Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on Rust. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period💔" she wrote on her brother's Twitter page, where she tweets on behalf of his legacy.
Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on “Rust”. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period. 💔
— Brandon Bruce Lee (@brandonblee) October 22, 2021
Here's hoping that no more lives are lost in such accidents!
References:
https://twitter.com/brandonblee/status/1451401745419030531
Cover Image Source: Twitter | Eliza Hutton