Director Testifies about Being Shot on Set During 'Rust' Trial
Joel Souza, the director and screenwriter of the 'Rust' movie, takes the witness stand in the trial of the film's armorer, sharing details of the incident when he was shot on set by actor Alec Baldwin. Get insights into the courtroom testimony and the circumstances surrounding the tragic event during filming.
Joel Souza, the director and screenwriter of the “Rust” film, testified in the involuntary manslaughter trial of the film’s armorer. He took the stand on Friday to share his experience of being shot on set.
Souza described the moment as different from the usual gun discharges on set. He mentioned that the sound was extremely loud and deafening, unlike anything he had heard before.
After the loud noise, Souza recalled, "It felt as if my shoulder had been hit with a baseball bat, I can still vividly remember that moment."
Souza was positioned right behind cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, attempting to see the shot in the camera more clearly.
"I vividly recall Hutchins being gently lowered to the ground, with people supporting her on each side. At that moment, I was still trying to make sense of what had transpired. It was all so confusing," he shared. "Initially, I wondered if she had been startled by something, but then I noticed the blood on her back." Tragically, Hutchins lost her life during the incident in October 2021.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, center, sits with her attorney Jason Bowles, left, during the first day of testimony in the trial against her in First District Court, in Santa Fe, N.M., Thursday, February 22, 2024. Gutierrez-Reed, who was working as the armorer on the movie "Rust" when a revolver actor Alec Baldwin was holding fired killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded the filmâs director Joel Souza, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. (Eddie Moore/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool)
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, along with her attorney Jason Bowles, was seen at the start of the trial in First District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The trial began on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Gutierrez-Reed, who was the armorer on the set of the movie "Rust," is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. This incident occurred when a revolver held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged, resulting in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuries to the film's director Joel Souza. (Photo credit: Eddie Moore/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool)
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Souza remembered the chaotic scene that was happening, with armorer Hannah Guttierez Reed present, looking upset. He recalled her apologizing, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry Joel," while someone else yelled at her and she was quickly escorted out.
At the hospital, the filmmaker was confused when he found out he had been shot by a bullet.
He kept insisting that it couldn't be true because he thought it was a movie set. He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that there was a live round and kept saying, "You don’t understand. No, no, no, this was a movie set. That’s not possible. You don’t get it. It’s just not possible. It’s just not possible there’s a live round."
Doctors then showed Souza the X-ray of his back.
“There was a very large bullet in it.”
Testimony in the trial revolves around determining whether Gutierrez Reed, responsible for handling weapons on set, or Alec Baldwin and the film’s production team, should be held accountable for the shooting.
The New Mexico prosecutor, Jason Lewis, has pointed to Gutierrez Reed's failure to enforce safety checks as the reason live bullets ended up on set. On the other hand, her defense attorneys argue that the film's production team created a chaotic work environment and Reed, who was just 24 years old at the time, was burdened with an excessive number of responsibilities.
Gutierrez Reed has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges. Baldwin has also pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges stemming from Hutchins’ death.
Editor's P/S:
The trial surrounding the tragic shooting on the set of "Rust" has brought to light the devastating consequences of negligence and the importance of safety protocols in filmmaking. Joel Souza's vivid account of the incident highlights the sheer terror and confusion that unfolded that fateful day, emphasizing the profound impact it had on his life. The subsequent revelations about the lack of proper safety measures and the failure to take responsibility for the handling of dangerous weapons underscore the need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the systemic issues that contributed to this tragedy.
It is essential to acknowledge the profound loss of Halyna Hutchins, whose life was cut short due to preventable circumstances. The trial serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing human life above all else, especially in high-risk environments like film sets. It also raises questions about the culture of rushing and cost-cutting that may compromise safety standards, leading to potentially fatal consequences. The outcome of the trial should not only determine individual culpability but also drive industry-wide reforms to prioritize the well-being of cast and crew members and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
