Alec Baldwin Hit With Search Warrant In Fatal ‘Rust’ Shooting

Alec Baldwin had to turn over his cell phone to authorities after police obtained a search warrant giving them right to seize his phone so they could examine text messages, email correspondence, and other information in the ongoing investigation of the fatal shooting that took place on the set of Rust. 

Search Warrant Granted In Baldwin Case

On October 21, a gun that Baldwin was holding on the movie set went off, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The New York Times reported that detective Alexandria Hancock later asked Baldwin and his attorney to hand over the actor’s phone, but they were told that they would need to get a search warrant.

The application for the search warrant states that Hancock “believes there may be evidence on the phone, due to individuals using cellular phones during and/or after the commission of crime(s).”

She “was also made aware there were several emails and text messages sent and received regarding the movie production Rust in the course of the interviews.”

The application went on to say that the search is meant to collect “all information and data from the cellular phone in relation to the production of ‘Rust,’ and any member working on the production.”

Related: Inside Alec Baldwin’s ‘Nightmare’ Life Since Fatal ‘Rust’ Shooting 

Baldwin Responds 

Baldwin fired back Thursday night through his lawyer Aaron Dyer, saying, “We are confident that the evidence will show that Mr. Baldwin is not responsible civilly or criminally for what occurred on Oct. 21, and he continues to cooperate with authorities. We proactively requested that the authorities obtain a warrant so that we could take steps to protect Mr. Baldwin’s family and personal information that is clearly unrelated to the investigation.”

The application also says that Baldwin was interviewed by police hours after the shooting took place. 

“Alec advised in the scene he slowly takes the gun out of the holster, then very dramatically turns it and cocks the hammer, which is when the gun goes off,” it said. “He said it was supposed to be a ‘cold gun’ so no flash charge or anything should have gone off.”

Baldwin’s Surprising Claim 

Earlier this month, Baldwin surprisingly claimed that he never pulled the trigger, and that the gun simply went off. 

“Someone put a live bullet in a gun, a bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property,” Mr. Baldwin alleged. “Someone is ​responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me.”

Full Story: Alec Baldwin Breaks Down As He Discusses Fatal ‘Rust’ Shooting For First Time In Interview

Baldwin has cooperated with police, and he has contacted Detective Hancock “numerous times” by telephone and text message, according to the affidavit. Prosecutors have previously said that criminal charges are not off the table for Baldwin as this investigation continues.

It remains to be seen how this will play out for Baldwin in the end. 

You can watch Part 1 of Baldwin’s interview with George Stephanopoulos right here: