In the first on-camera interview, Alec Baldwin refers to Halyna Hutchins as his “friend”

In his first on-camera statements since Halyna Hutchins’ death on the set of their film Rust, Alec Baldwin talked about spending time with her and referred to her as a friend.

Alec shot a vintage.45 Colt handgun used as a prop, which he believed did not contain live bullets, while practicing for the Western movie last week, according to Santa Fe police. Hutchins and director Joel Souza were both hurts when a lead missile hit them. On Saturday, Oct. 30, photographers videotaped Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin on the side of a Vermont country road after reportedly following the couple and their children, who Alec described as “sobbing” in their car.

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The actor patiently chatted to the celebrity reporters for approximately four minutes, saying he was giving them a “service,” as his wife, who has six children with him, stood next to him, holding up her iPhone.

Alec previously described the incident as a “tragic accident.” Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s husband, and their 9-year-old son, Andros, survive her. The actor was pictured strolling with the two after she died. Alec, who usually avoids the paparazzi and whose family is often trailed by cameras in their home state of New York, stood alongside Hilaria and spoke to the press.

Also read: Alec Baldwin speaks publicly for first time amid ongoing ‘Rust’ shooting investigation

After the filming, Rust’s production was suspended. Alec responded he didn’t believe it would resume when asked whether he thought it would.

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Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, and Assistant Director David Halls “handled and/or inspected the loaded firearm prior to Baldwin firing the weapon” and that all three “have been cooperative in the investigation and have provided statements” at a news conference earlier this week.

Baldwin shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza on the set of ‘Rust’ in New Mexico on October 21. After armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed placed the pistol on a cart on set, assistant director Dave Halls informed Baldwin that it was a “cold gun,” meaning “not hot” or empty.