Upset to have lost his friend Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust on October 21, 2021, director Joel Souza reacted for the first time to journalists from Deadline. “I am devastated by the loss of my friend and colleague, Halyna. She was kind, dynamic, incredibly talented, fought for everything and always pushed me to improve myself. My thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time“Touched to have received many messages of support following the tragedy, he continues:”I am humble and grateful for the wave of affection we have received from our community of filmmakers, the people of Santa Fe and the hundreds of strangers who have contacted us …… This will surely help me to re-establish.“
Wounded by Alec Baldwin with a weapon he thought had been discharged, the director was standing just behind Halyna Hutchins when the actor fired the pistol. The 48-year-old American was shot in the shoulder and rushed to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. He was treated for his injuries and left the hospital last Friday. According to the investigation, a single bullet hit Halyna Hutchins in the chest before hitting director Joel Souza in the shoulder, suggesting that the bullet went through Halyna’s entire body.