In the latest development of the Rust shooting investigation, first assistant director David Halls has been served a subpoena for avoiding interviews with OSHA. The Rust shooting tragedy occurred on October 21, 2021, on Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico. The Western film Rust was being shot at the location, when a gun that Alec Baldwin was holding discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The gun was discovered to contain a live round, and the investigation into how this tragedy occurred is still ongoing. While Baldwin was the one holding the gun, it was initially handed to him by Halls who declared it was a "cold gun" without checking it.
An investigation has been launched into the incident, but it is too early to determine if charges will be filed. Sadly, the investigation fueled a tangled mess of accusations and pointed fingers among the Rust cast and crew. The Rust armorer has denied negligence allegations, and her lawyer has proposed odd sabotage theories. At the same time, Baldwin conducted an interview stating that someone is guilty but that it is not him. While many individuals have either personally, or through an attorney, issued statements attempting to absolve themselves of guilt, there is much curiosity towards those who have remained silent.
As reported by Deadline, a New Mexico judge has granted a subpoena request from Land of Enchantment state Environment Department for Halls. The subpoena was requested after Halls allegedly avoided interviews from OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Act) for their probe into the incident. His lawyer responded and indicated Halls' intention to cooperate fully, and an interview is reportedly scheduled for December 14. OSHA requests the interview with Halls since he is a firsthand witness and also played a role in the safety regulations on set. Check out state filing below:
It’s the bureaus understanding that Mr. Halls was inside the church when this fatality and injury, this workplace fatality and injury to the second person, occurred. So the bureau needs to question Mr. Halls on what occurred inside the church. Mr. Halls could also inform the bureau as to who else was inside the church and who else we should interview. It’s also the bureaus understanding Mr. Halls conducted safety meetings on site and had a roll in safety on set.
While Halls' lawyer indicates his willingness to cooperate, her and Halls had previously indicated intent to remain silent until the police probe into the incident concluded. That probe is expected to last at least several more weeks, and it remains to be seen if it will bring forth criminal charges. In the Rust incident, Baldwin has received intense scrutiny for his role in the shooting, considering he was the one holding the gun. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against him, and there are conflicting reports on whether he pulled the trigger or not. However, Halls played almost an equal role in the incident in that he was the one who placed the gun in Baldwin's hand. His interview will likely attempt to decipher why he didn't check the gun and how he came to handle that gun in the first place.
The subpoena indicates the seriousness of the investigation and the necessity to hear Halls' account. It is not necessarily an indication of guilt or pending charges. However, considering that an individual was killed and that there is strong evidence of negligence, every person present on the scene should be willing to come forward in an effort to bring some form of closure to the tragedy. Halls' avoidance of interviews is certainly concerning, considering he breached safety protocols on the Rust set and was the last one to handle the gun before Baldwin. Fortunately, steps are being taken to ensure that every individual who was present is held accountable and required to cooperate in the investigation. As Halls' interview looms on the horizon, it remains to be seen if any new details will arise from his personal account of the Rust incident.
Source: Deadline