Entertainment
Brandon Lee’s fiancée speaks out after death of Halyna Hutchins on Rust set: ‘There’s no such thing as a prop gun’
Brandon Lee’s fiance Eliza Hutton has spoken out after the death of Halyna Hutchins (Picture: Bei/REX/Shutterstock)
Eliza Hutton, Brandon Lee’s fiancée at the time of his death, has spoken out following the death of Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust.
Hutchins, 42, was killed when a gun Alec Baldwin, 63, had been handed on set discharged, fatally wounding her and injuring director Joel Souza, 48, who was later released from hospital.
Lee, who was the son of Bruce Lee, had also been in killed in a similar incident in 1993 at the age of 28, after he was shot on set of The Crow after the prop gun was loaded with improperly made dummy rounds.
At the time of his death, Lee was engaged to Hutton, with the pair planning to marry a week after filming wrapped on The Crow.
Following the tragedy on the set of Rust, Hutton took to Instagram to share a photo of her with her back to the camera as Lee embraced her and took the photograph of them in the mirror, adding: ‘There’s no such thing as a prop gun.’
A prop gun is any firearm that is used as a prop on film and TV sets and more, and while some are non-functioning items that look just like the real thing, some productions use real guns in order to maintain a look of authenticity.
Halyna Hutchins was killed when a prop gun Alec Baldwin had been handed discharged (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)
Prop guns can be loaded with ‘blanks’, which are firearm cartridges that generate a flash and explosive sound like any normal gunshot, with the gun recoiling, but without shooting a bullet.
Hutton added to People: ‘Twenty eight years ago, I was shattered by the shock and grief of losing the love of my life, Brandon Lee, so senselessly.
‘My heart aches again now for Halyna Hutchins’ husband and son, and for all those left in the wake of this avoidable tragedy.
Alec Baldwin was distraught after the tragic incident on the set of Rust (Picture: AP)
‘I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.’
Prop guns still have the potential to cause injury or death despite not being loaded with ‘live’ rounds, as improperly loaded blanks or any debris in the chamber can cause serious harm.
With the extensive use of CG effects in film and television, it has been questioned why productions still use blanks on set to this day.
More: US Showbiz news
As well as Hutton, Lee’s sister Shannon Lee said in statement following Hutchins’ death: ‘Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on Rust.
‘No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
