Alec Baldwin Described As 'Very Careful' With Firearms, Says Cameraman

Alec Baldwin is being defended by one of the cameramen on the set of 'Rust' claiming the actor was "very careful" with firearms during filming, and always made sure there was never a child present when it was firing.

According to a legal affidavit connected to the case, camera operator Reid Russell was questioned by police after the tragic shooting that killed the film's director of photography. Immediately following the tragic accident, Russell shared with investigators that Baldwin "had been very careful" with guns on the set.

They continued, the actor "had made sure it was safe and that a child wasn't near him when they were discharging a firearm," while filming a prior scene.

At this point, the legal documents are being used by investigators to gather up evidence of the chain of command of the guns and the ammunition to try and figure out how something like this could ever happen. The documents included heartbreaking details of the dramatic events, which included the moments leading up to and following the tragic event.

As you know, Halyna Hutchins was killed after a "prop gun" fired a real bullet after Alec Baldwin was handed it to fire during a rehearsal. Director Joel Souza was also injured during the incident.

Unfortunately, after officers started questioning Russell and Souza about the incident, both admitted the original camera crew on the film had recently quit over issues involving payment and housing. On the day of the shooting, Souza told police that they were returning from a lunch break for rehearsal and he was unsure if the gun had been checked prior to giving it to Baldwin.

In the affidavit, Souza told investigators that all firearms on the set were checked by an "armorer" and then by an assistant director, who ultimately handed it to Alec Baldwin. The assistant director allegedly yelled "cold gun" before the firearm was given to Baldwin, according to the documents. At the time, Alec was sitting in a pew in the church part of the set, and practicing "a cross-draw" of his weapon.  At the time, the camera wasn't rolling because the crew was just working on setting up the camera in the right position for the scene.

After hearing "what sounded like a whip and then a loud pop," the director remembers hearing Hutchins "complaining about her stomach and grabbing her midsection" and she "began to stumble backward and she was assisted to the ground." He continued that he was "bleeding from his shoulder and he could see blood on Halyna.

Tragically, Russell told investigators he "remembered Joel having blood on his person and (Halyna) speaking and saying she couldn't feel her legs."

In the end, there is no indication that Baldwin did anything to cause the tragic accident, but it's unclear where the Sheriff is focusing their investigation. It should be noted, the cops are working with the local District Attorney in New Mexico on the case.