SANTA FE, United States, Oct 23, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - Hollywood star Alec

Baldwin said Friday his "heart is broken" after he fatally shot a
cinematographer with a prop gun he had been told was safe on the set of a
Western about an accidental killing.

  The US actor and producer said he was "fully cooperating" with a police
investigation, as law enforcement officials carried out a search warrant, and
reports emerged of allegedly dangerous working conditions on the set.

  "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," Baldwin tweeted.

  Baldwin had been handed a prop gun by an assistant director who did not
know it was loaded and shouted "Cold gun" -- meaning it contained no live
ammunition -- according to a search warrant seen by the Santa Fe Reporter.

  Performing a rehearsal scene, Baldwin fired the gun, striking Hutchins in
the chest, and the film's director in the shoulder. Hutchins, 42, was
transported to hospital by helicopter but died of her wounds.

  "My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved
Halyna," wrote Baldwin.

  Production of "Rust" -- a 19th-century Western in which Baldwin is playing
the lead -- has been suspended. Souza, the 48-year-old director, was taken by
ambulance to hospital and later released.

  Santa Fe sheriff spokesman Juan Rios told AFP that Baldwin came in
voluntarily and "provided statements and answered their questions," but no
charges have been filed and no arrests made.

  He confirmed that investigators were executing a search warrant at the site
of the shooting.

  The warrant allows investigators to gather camera footage, cellphones,
weapons and ammunition, and clothing worn by Baldwin and others which may
have been splattered with blood, according the affidavit.

  Meanwhile the Los Angeles Times reported that around six crew members had
walked off set before the shooting to protest working conditions, including
long hours. It said Hutchins was among those who had called for safer working
conditions.

  There had been at least three prop gun misfires prior to the fatal
accident, the LA Times report said, citing anonymous crew members who were on
set.

  The production company did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

  - Shot on set -

  Los Angeles-based Hutchins, originally from Ukraine, was selected as one of
American Cinematographer's Rising Stars of 2019, according to her website.

  Ukraine's foreign ministry said its consulate general in San Francisco was
working with US authorities and speaking to Hutchins' relatives.

  Hutchins' union IATSE -- which represents film industry technicians
including cinematographers -- said it was "heartbroken and devastated to
learn that one of our members, sister Halyna Hutchins, died yesterday."

  "Creating a culture of safety requires relentless vigilance from every one
of us, day in and day out," it added.

  The union's branch representing prop masters sent an email to members
stating that "a live single round was accidentally fired," although law
enforcement has yet to confirm details about the firearm involved.

  Movie sets usually have stringent rules over the use of prop weapons, but
accidents have happened.

  Most famously, Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, died
during filming of "The Crow" after being shot by a gun that was supposed to
fire blanks.

  Brandon's sister Shannon Lee wrote on Twitter: "No one should ever be
killed by a gun on a film set."

  "It's time to stop being macho about blanks and end the practice," tweeted
director Ben Rock, noting that gunshot effects such as the loud bang and
muzzle flash can be added in post-production with modern technology.

  But "the problem with dummy weapons is that you take away the recoil and
the smoke, which adds something to the acting," said Hollywood armorer
Guillaume Delouche.

  - 'Greatest fear' -

  Meanwhile, tributes to Hutchins poured in on social media.

  "My greatest fear is that someone will be fatally hurt on one of my sets,"
tweeted Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn.

  "My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedy today on Rust,
especially Halyna Hutchins & her family."

  The shooting took place at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a production location
near Santa Fe which is popular with Hollywood filmmakers.

  Baldwin co-produced the film and stars as Harland Rust, an outlaw whose
grandson is convicted of murder, and who goes on the run with him.

  A leading man on television and in films since the 1980s, Baldwin has
starred in high-profile movies including "The Hunt for Red October."

  He garnered new fans for TV comedy "30 Rock" and with his long-running
portrayal of Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live," a character that
irritated the former president.

  Baldwin also made headlines for his marriage -- and acrimonious divorce --
to Kim Basinger, his outspoken political views and hot temper.

  He lives near New York with second wife Hilaria. The couple have six
children together.