By Alexandra Meeks
November 2, 2021
-CNN
(CNN)An attorney representing David Halls, an assistant director on the set of the film “Rust,” said it was not Halls’ responsibility to confirm whether the gun handed to Alec Baldwin was loaded, despite Halls previously acknowledging to investigators that he should have checked all the rounds before declaring the firearm safe.
“He’s not responsible for checking it,” attorney Lisa Torraco said in an interview on Fox News on Monday. “That’s not the assistant director’s job. If he chooses to check the firearm because he wants to make sure that everyone’s safe, he can do that, but that’s not his responsibility.”
According to a detective’s search warrant affidavit filed last week, Halls acknowledged to investigators he should have checked all the rounds loaded in the weapon and “couldn’t recall if he spun the drum” before the fatal shooting October 21 that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
“David advised the incident was not a deliberate act,” the detective writes.
Torraco said Halls wasn’t required to check the gun.
“Expecting an assistant director to check a firearm is like telling the assistant director to check the camera angle or telling the assistant director to check sound or lighting,” Torraco said.
According to the New York Post, Halls, in his first public statement since the shooting, spoke of his relationship with Hutchins.
“Halyna Hutchins was not just one of the most talented people I’ve worked with, but also a friend,” he said in the statement. “I’m shocked and saddened by her death.”
Although Halls didn’t address details of the investigation, he did comment on changes he would like to see within the industry.
“It’s my hope that this tragedy prompts the industry to reevaluate its values and practices to ensure no one is harmed through the creative process again,” his statement read.
According to the Post, Halls said he has been “overwhelmed by the love and support” and that his “thoughts are with all who knew and loved Halyna.”
CNN has made repeated attempts to reach out to Halls and he has not responded. His attorney declined to comment to CNN on Monday.
