Alec Baldwin was ‘hysterical for hours’ after fatal set accident

It’s been revealed Alec Baldwin was “inconsolable for hours” after the fatal shooting on the set of his latest movie.

It’s been revealed Alec Baldwin was “inconsolable for hours” after the fatal shooting on the set of his latest movie Rust, as the actor reportedly cancels all future projects.

The actor, 63, is looking “to take some time to himself and re-enter himself” after director of photography Halyna Hutchins was killed, and director Joel Souza was critically injured by the prop gun.

“This was pretty devastating,” a source told PEOPLE.

Baldwin was reportedly “inconsolable for hours” after the fatal accident. Picture: AFP

“This is how he handles difficult times. Whenever something bad happens, in the short term, he removes himself from [the] public eye.”

They added that Baldwin was “hysterical and absolutely inconsolable for hours” following the shooting.

“Everyone knows this was an accident, but he‘s absolutely devastated,” they continued.

The gun Baldwin fired in the fatal shooting on the Rust movie set was handed to the actor loaded with a live round, according to a warrant from the ongoing police investigation.

The warrant says that an assistant director handed the gun to the actor and told him that it was “cold” before he fired it, fatally striking cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza on Thursday.

A distraught Alec Baldwin in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's offices after being questioned about a shooting. Picture: Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican

Halyna Hutchins.

The warrant, obtained by the Associated Press, also says that the assistant director was not aware that the gun was loaded.

The gun that was fired was one of three laid on a cart by the film‘s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Assistant director Dave Halls grabbed the gun from the cart, believing it was unloaded, and brought it inside to Alec, who was filming a scene, the warrant says.

It‘s not clear at this time how many rounds were fired.

‘My heart is broken’

Baldwin broke his silence over the weekend after accidentally shooting a cinematographer dead on set.

In a statement, Alec said: “There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours.

The film's star and producer Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm that hit Hutchins and Souza. Picture: Sam Wasson/Getty

“I‘m fully co-operating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family.

“My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.”

Baldwin was quizzed by cops following the accident and was snapped sobbing outside a local police station in Santa Fe, New Mexico, according to local media reports.

One picture shows him distressed while chatting on the phone while another snapped him close to the kerb with his hands on his knees.

The accident happened at around 1.50pm local time on Thursday.

In a statement first given to The Sun, Santa Fe County Sheriff Juan Rios revealed: “The sheriff’s office confirms that two individuals were shot on the set of Rust.

“Halyna Hutchins, 42, director of photography and Joel Souza, 48, director, were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin, 63, producer, and actor.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.