When we enter a movie theater or turn on our TV to watch a movie, we know that what we’re about to see is not real. It’s perhaps based on real events or possibly completely fiction. Either way, the scenes in the movie (unless it’s a documentary) are staged.

When we watch a movie, we know that nobody really gets hurt. Stunt men and women are trained to handle somewhat dangerous effects. Other effects are created with the help of a computer. When there’s a fight scene, it’s choreographed. When a gun fires, it’s a prop gun without real bullets. Nobody really gets hurt. At least, that’s the way it usually is.

Unfortunately, every once in awhile a tragic accident happens and something that is supposed to be fake becomes all too real. That’s exactly what happened on the set of a western called “Rust.”

Alec Baldwin is staring in and co-producing the movie which is being filmed in New Mexico. The movie is about a 13-year-old boy who accidentally kills a rancher. He goes on the run with his grandfather, an outlaw named Harland Rust, who is played by Baldwin.

Unfortunately, on set, a tragedy occurred. Baldwin was in character when he fired a prop gun. Somehow, firing the gun seriously injured the film’s director, Joel Souza, and killed the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins. A prop gun is not supposed to be a lethal weapon. Filming has temporarily stopped, and the police are investigating what happened.

Watch the video below to learn more about this tragic accident.

After the prop gun was fired, someone from set called 911. On the call, a woman said, “We need some help. A director and a camerawoman have been shot.” She added, “I was sitting, we were rehearsing and it went off, and I ran out, we all ran out.”

Law enforcement interviewed Baldwin, but he has not been charged with any crime. He was in tears and clearly distraught.

The company producing the film, Rust Movie Productions LLC, released the following statement: 

“The entire cast and crew has been absolutely devastated by today’s tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Halyna’s family and loved ones. We have halted production on the film for an undetermined period of time and are fully cooperating with the Santa Fe Police Department’s investigation. We will be providing counseling services to everyone connected to the film as we work to process this awful event.”

At this point, it is unknown what was fired from the gun that killed Hutchins. Law enforcement is treating this incident as a shooting.