‘I didn’t pull the trigger,’ says Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins

Alec Baldwin told ABC's George Stephanopoulos in an interview that he did not pull the trigger on a prop gun he was holding on a New Mexico film set when it went off, killing a cinematographer.

"I didn't pull the trigger," Baldwin said. "I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never." It is Baldwin's first sit-down interview since the October 21 shooting on the set of the western film, Rust.

Authorities have said Baldwin was told the gun was safe to handle, but continue to investigate how a live round ended up in the weapon. In a clip that was released recently, Baldwin is seen breaking down in tears while describing Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was killed on the set. Director Joel Souza was also wounded.

Also Read: Alec Baldwin: Halyna Hutchins was a friend, we were a well-oiled crew

He said in response to a question about how a live round ended up on the set: "I have no idea. Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn't even supposed to be on the property."

Assistant director Dave Halls had reportedly told Baldwin that the gun was a "cold gun", meaning "not hot", or unloaded after armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed had placed the gun on a cart.

Investigators have described "some complacency" in how weapons were handled on the Rust set. They have said it is too soon to determine whether charges will be filed, amid independent civil lawsuits concerning liability in the fatal shooting.

It is reported that a two-hour special, 20/20, next week will examine the investigation into the shooting in more depth.

Also Read: Crew member sues Alec Baldwin, others over Rust shooting

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