American actor Brandon Lee. Image via Twitter @brandonblee.
‘No one should be killed on set’: Brandon Lee’s family on Baldwin incident
The family of Brandon Lee, who was also killed by a prop gun on set, has reached out to the family of Halyna Hutchins after the cinematographer’s shock death.
American actor Brandon Lee. Image via Twitter @brandonblee.
Following the news of American actor Alec Baldwin firing a prop gun on set which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Thursday 21 October, late actor Brandon Lee began to trend on Twitter as he shared the same tragic fate on set.
His family has since spoken out via a tweet today (22 October).
BRANDON LEE TRENDS AFTER ALEC BALDWIN INCIDENT
Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of the film Rust on Thursday 21 October, which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The accident also injured Rust director Joel Souza.
A spokesperson for Baldwin said that there was an accident involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office however said that the investigation remains open.
“This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives,” said a spokesman for the sheriff’s office Juan Rios in a statement.
The incident took place on a ranch in Sante Fe. Halyna was transported to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was later pronounced dead. In the aftermath of the news, Brandon Lee began to trend on Twitter because of his similar death.
ALSO READ: Alec Baldwin and ‘Rust’: What happens now?
BRANDON LEE KILLED BY A PROP GUN
Brandon, the son of iconic martial artist and actor Bruce Lee, lost his life on the set of gothic fantasy film The Crow in 1993 while shooting a scene in which he is shot by thugs after entering an apartment. Michael Massee was set to fire a Smith and Wesson Model 629. 44 Magnum revolver at the actor from 12 to 15 feet away.
Commercial dummy cartridges are fitted with bullets but no powder and primer, which initiates the propellant combustion. Therefore, the prop crew made their own, removing the powder but unintentionally left the live primer in the cartridge. The revolver was discharged and the bullet was driven into the barrel where the squib load became stuck.
The dummy cartridges were replaced with blank rounds for the scene. However, when Michael fired the gun, the bullet that was trapped in the barrel, was fired with the same force had the weapon been loaded with a live round. The bullet struck Brandon in the abdomen.
He then fell backwards instead of forward as the scene was planned. The crew initially thought he was still acting. However, he was rushed to the New Hanover Regional Medical Centre where he had to undergo six hours of surgery. Unfortunately he didn’t survive and was pronounced dead on 31 March 1993.
BRANDON LEE’S FAMILY SPEAKS OUT
Knowing the pain of the loss, Brandon’s family sent their sympathies to Halyna’s family via a tweet. The tweet was sent from Brandon’s Twitter account, which is run by his sister Shannon Lee, to honour his legacy.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on “Rust”. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period,” read the tweet.
ALSO READ: ‘Alec Baldwin must be held accountable’: Tweeps react to fatal set shooting
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