"Rust" assistant director makes first public statement since fatal on-set shooting

"Rust" assistant director Dave Halls on Monday released his first public statement since the on-set shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza last month. Halls handed Alec Baldwin the gun — which was believed to have been safe — before the October 21 shooting, according to court documents filed last week. 

"Halyna Hutchins was not just one of most talented people I've worked with, but also a friend," Halls said in a written statement to CBS News. "I'm shocked and saddened by her death." 

According to a search warrant filed last week, the film's armorer told police she "checked the 'dummies' to make sure they were not 'hot' rounds" on the day of the incident. When the crew took a lunch break, the gun was placed in a safe in a prop truck on set, she said, according to the documents.