Alec Baldwin is the subject of a police inquiry after accidentally shooting and killing his director of photography with a toy gun on the set of a movie in New Mexico.

When Baldwin, 63, fired the stage handgun, it killed director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, and wounded director Joel Souza, 48.

The event occurred on the set of “Rust,” an indie feature film that was being shot south of Santa Fe at the Bonanza Creek Ranch.

The sheriff in Santa Fe said in a statement that Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza “were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin.”

“Rust” director of photography Halyna Hutchins.Fred Hayes / Getty Images for SAGindie

According to the statement, deputies were summoned to the set of the Western at around 2 p.m. in Bonanza Creek Ranch after a 911 caller reported a gunshot.

“The sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot on the set of Rust. Halyna Hutchins, 42, director of photography, and Joel Souza, 48, director, were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 68, producer and actor,” it said.

“Ms Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Mr Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St Vincent regional medical center where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries.”

“This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident.”

A Santa Fe sheriff’s spokesperson told the AFP news agency that Mr Baldwin had talked with detectives.

“He came in voluntarily and he left the building after he finished his interviews,” the official explained.

Alec Baldwin leans over in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s offices after being questioned on the shooting.
Jim Weber / The New Mexican

Mr Baldwin’s spokesperson said the incident included the misfiring of a prop gun with blanks. Mr Baldwin is best known for his roles as Jack Donaghy on the NBC comedy 30 Rock and as Donald Trump on sketch show Saturday Night Live.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, Baldwin was spotted crying outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. Baldwin was photographed in a parking lot outside the sheriff’s office, according to images acquired by NBC News. The actor can be seen leaning over by the roadside in one snap and talking on the phone in another.

The Sheriff’s office and the International Cinematographers Guild, Local 600, both confirmed Hutchins’ death.

“We received the devastating news this evening, that one of our members, Halyna Hutchins, the Director of Photography on a production called ‘Rust’ in New Mexico died from injuries sustained on the set,” said John Lindley, the president of the guild, and Rebecca Rhine, the executive director, in a statement. “The details are unclear at this moment, but we are working to learn more, and we support a full investigation into this tragic event. This is a terrible loss, and we mourn the passing of a member of our Guild’s family.”

Hutchins’ agents said in a statement released on Friday that the cinematographer was a rising star in the industry who was always upbeat and happy.

“Halyna Hutchins was a ray of light. Always smiling, always hopeful,” according to the statement. “She decided early on she would take the craft of cinematography by storm and the last couple of years proved she was well on her way. Her talent was immense, only surpassed by the love she had for her family. All those in her orbit knew what was coming; a star director of photography, who would be a force to be reckoned with.”

Mr. Baldwin co-produces and appears in the picture as Harland Rust, an outlaw whose grandson is convicted of murder and who joins him on the run after the boy is condemned to death.