- Crew members working on '
Rust ' didn't 'feel safe" on set, a source told People. - There had already been accidental prop gun discharges before Thursday's fatal shooting, the LA Times reports.
Crew members working on Alec Baldwin's movie "Rust" had safety concerns before the shooting incident that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and left director Joel Souza injured on Thursday, according to People.
A production source told People that crew members "didn't feel safe" on set in New Mexico and described how "everyone was tired."
Some crew members were particularly concerned by the lack of concern about previous accidental prop gun discharges that had occurred the weekend before the fatal shooting, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"We've now had 3 accidental discharges. This is super unsafe," said a text sent to a production manager by a crew member, according to a message seen by the Times.
Sources confirmed to the media outlet that at least two accidental prop gun discharges took place last week. "There should have been an investigation into what happened," a crew member said, according to the paper. Instead, the crew member added, there were no safety meetings and no assurances that it wouldn't happen again.
Three sources familiar with the matter told the Los Angeles Times that safety protocol standards, including gun inspections, were not strictly followed on set. At least one camera operator, per the Times, had complained to a production manager about gun safety.
Insider previously reported that on the morning of the fatal shooting, a group of six "Rust" cameramen and their assistants walked off set Thursday morning in protest of safety conditions.
As the group packed away their gear, non-union crew members arrived to replace them and a production manager ordered the union members to leave, a crew member told the Los Angeles Times.
"Corners were being cut - and they brought in non-union people so they could continue shooting," a crew member told the Times.
According to an affidavit, Baldwin, who fired the prop gun that accidentally killed Hutchins, was handed the gun by an assistant director, who said "cold gun," The New York Times and the Associated Press reported. The term refers to a gun that is not loaded with live rounds.
Insider reported that the head armorer, who was responsible for overseeing all weapons that are used on a production, had previously expressed self-doubt about whether she had suitable experience for the role.
The New Mexico and Safety Bureau is now investigating the "Rust" shooting, and could impose civil penalties, Insider reported.