Alec Baldwin could cause ‘colossal damage to career’ if he doesn’t ‘keep away’ from social media over Rust shooting, expert says

Alec Baldwin is ‘hurting himself in unimaginable ways’ by speaking out amid the investigation in the fatal Rust shooting (Pictures: AP/Twitter/Instagram/ @hilariabaldwin)

Alec Baldwin broke ‘the essential rules of managing a crisis’ in the weeks after he accidentally shot Halyna Hutchins, a reputation expert has said.

Last month, the Hollywood actor discharged a gun on the set of Western movie Rust, fatally shooting cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

A police investigation is underway into the shooting, which also injured Rust director Joel Souza.

After releasing his initial statement about the tragic incident, the 63-year-old went on to hold an impromptu conference with paparazzi in Vermont.

In the days that followed, the 30 Rock star has also made a slow return to social media.

However, crisis and PR expert Eric Schiffer tells Metro.co.uk that The Edge star could be ‘hurting himself in unimaginable ways’ by choosing not to remain silent amid the ongoing investigation.

Baldwin has shared several posts on social media as reports about the fatal shooting circulate online (Picture: Jim Spellman/Getty Images)

‘Baldwin is damaging his brand by continuing to defend himself in highly irregular ways that are painfully deluded,’ he explained.

Schiffer, who is chairman of Los Angeles-based firm Reputation Management Consultants, stated: ‘Baldwin has shown a lack of self-control at a time that requires discipline and remorse.

‘Alec’s behavior since the shooting has further hurt trust with the public, who see them as signs of the incompetence behind what caused the death and will lead to further colossal-like damage to his brand and career.’

Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by the actor while they rehearsed a scene for their western film (Picture: Fred Hayes/Getty Images for SAGindie)

Sharing how he would suggest the Boss Baby star should conduct himself in the coming weeks, Schiffer added: ‘I’d say “Alec, keep yourself away from the media. Make sure you’re doing whatever you can behind the scenes away from the cameras to help the family of those that you’ve hurt and let the investigation reveal what it will.

‘Don’t pull over on a busy highway and give an interview that comes across as a traveling circus-like antic during a time that requires maturity and remorse.”’

The crisis expert stated: ‘Alec broke the essential rules of managing a crisis: don’t do any further damage. He is hurting himself in unimaginable ways, especially when the public right now is wondering why he ever allowed this to happen. ‘

Baldwin went on to share that the cinematographer had been his friend (Picture: Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for National Geographic)

Reflecting on the fact the Hollywood star has been no stranger to controversy in the past, he continued: ‘Baldwin’s brand has always tied itself to conflict. But, this conflict involves something far different than tabloid headlines for spats.

‘It centers around a loss of a human life from his actions when he was as producer and responsible for keeping crew members safe. It is a smoking crater on his reputation and will have an indelible impact on his brand negatively.’

However, he does not believe the actor’s career is over as he added: ‘But, it won’t be the end of his career. It will just impede it and suppress opportunities for a long time.’

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Following Hutchins’ death, Baldwin said he was ‘devastated’, and that he had been in contact with the cinematographer’s husband Matthew and son Andros.

Authorities in Santa Fe are probing how a suspected live round came to be in the firearm, which had been declared safe by an assistant director, according to court documents.

Production has been halted indefinitely while authorities investigate the shooting.

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