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‘Rust’ Armorer Breaks Silence After Fatal On-Set Shooting

The fatal on-set Rust shooting last week was a tragedy in which the true cause remains currently unknown. For the first time since the incident, the film’s armorer broke her silence on the matter.

With investigations fully underway to determine the cause of the fatal shooting, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reid’s name has come up repeatedly. Responding to allegations and statements regarding the accident, her lawyers spoke on her behalf via Twitter.

The statement begins expressing condolences to Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who died. Additionally, she wishes a speedy recovery to Joel, the director who was also injured.

After that, Reid’s lawyers wished to “address some untruths” about what has been said about her. “Safety is Hannah’s number one priority on set,” the statement says. “Ulitmately this set would never have been compromised if live ammo were not introduced. Hannah has no idea where the live rounds came from. Hannah and prop master gained control over the guns and she never witnessed anyone shoot live rounds with these guns and nor would she permit that.”

“They were locked up every night and at lunch and there’s no way a single one of them was unaccounted for or being shot by crew members. Hannah still, to this day, has never had an accidental discharge. The first one on this set was the prop master and the second was a stunt man after Hannah informed him his gun was hot with blanks.”

Her lawyers also disclosed the film hired Hannah for two positions. This made her job as an armorer difficult to focus on. Making matters worse, production and her department overruled her desires for proper training, weapon maintenance, and preparing for gunfire.

‘Rust’ Assistant Director Also Breaks Silence About Fatal Shooting

Hannah Reid isn’t the only one breaking her silence on the Rust tragedy this week. A few days ago, the film’s assistant director did the same, recounting his version of the incident.

TMZ acquired exclusive information about the shooting, including details from a new search warrant. Assistant director David Halls said after Hannah gave him the prop gun, he gave it to Alec Baldwin, calling it “cold” before doing so. Halls said when he did that, there were only three rounds in the gun. However, he does admit he should have been more thorough and doesn’t recall if Hannah spun the drum before she handed it to him.

After the shooting, Halls reports checking the gun’s chamber, spotting at least five casings. Of those five, four were dummies with a signature hole on the side. To his shock, the fifth did not have the hole, indicating the round was live.

While this information doesn’t necessarily say whose fault it is, it does highlight the film lacked proper safety procedures. As such, TMZ’s information states the District Attorney is determining whether criminal charges will be filed.