Trial Day 7: ‘Rust’ director recalls being shot in 2021
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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Friday, the director who was shot alongside a cinematographer on the set of “Rust” took the stand. The testimony comes as jurors weigh if armorer Hannah Gutierrez committed involuntary manslaughter.
It was an emotional day in court as Joel Souza discussed what happened on the set when he and Halyna Hutchins were shot with a real bullet.
PREVIOUS DAY: ‘Rust’ first assistant director gives testimony in trial
Joel Souza told jurors what he and Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer, were trying to accomplish while setting up a scene on the Rust set back on October 21, 2021, when it all went wrong.
He said there was a loud bang and knew something wasn’t right, feeling as if someone took a “baseball bat” to his shoulder. He noticed Haylna, saying he thought she was startled before realizing she was bleeding.
While laying on the ground waiting for help, he saw Hannah Gutierrez. He recalled her looking distraught and apologizing.
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Souza was taken to a hospital and was treated for a gunshot wound. He still couldn’t believe it when doctors told him what happened, even telling them they were wrong. However, doctors gave him the proof he needed; an x-ray showed a bullet in his back.
Souza testified that the scene being filmed during the shooting was only supposed to involve Alec Baldwin taking the gun out of the holster and not pointing it at anyone. He also testified that the first day gunfire was used on set, he was satisfied with Gutierrez’s work.
However, the Rust employee who called 911 after the shooting called Gutierrez unprofessional and another employee, Wyatt Mortenson, who testified on Friday noted her practice stood out to him saying on other sets he had worked on, the armorer would hand the gun right before and the scene and take it right after. He said Gutierrez did not do that.
The involuntary manslaughter trial against Hannah Gutierrez will continue on Monday.
