Brandon Lee’s fiancée recalls ‘shock and grief’ from his shooting death on movie set following ‘Rust’ tragedy
Peter Sblendorio
The fiancée of late actor Brandon Lee described the “shock and grief” she felt following his death on a movie set in 1993, and called for change after a cinematographer was fatally wounded last week while making “Rust.”
Lee died in a shooting incident on the set of “The Crow” after being hit by a dummy bullet while performing a scene involving a gun.
In this file photo, Actor Brandon Lee, right, and Eliza Hutton attend the Alien 3 premiere on May 19, 1992 in Century City, Calif.
In this file photo, Actor Brandon Lee, right, and Eliza Hutton attend the Alien 3 premiere on May 19, 1992 in Century City, Calif. (Ron Galella, Ltd./)
“Twenty eight years ago, I was shattered by the shock and grief of losing the love of my life, Brandon Lee, so senselessly,” Eliza Sutton told People.
“My heart aches again now for Halyna Hutchins’ husband and son, and for all those left in the wake of this avoidable tragedy.”
“Rust” star Alec Baldwin was practicing a scene in which he drew a prop gun last Thursday when the firearm went off, striking Hutchins, the film’s director, Joel Souza, told investigators in an affidavit.
Assistant director Dave Halls told authorities last week that he didn’t realize the gun was loaded when he gave it to Baldwin.
This aerial video image provided by KOAT 7 News, shows Santa Fe County Sheriff's Officers responding to the scene of a fatal accidental shooting at a Bonanza Creek, Ranch movie set near Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Officers respond to the scene of a fatal accidental shooting at a Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set near Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Officers respond to the scene of a fatal accidental shooting at a Bonanza Creek, Ranch movie set near Santa Fe, N.M. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.
A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in Santa Fe, N.M., after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film "Rust" on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.
Alec Baldwin speaks on the phone in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in Santa Fe, N.M., after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film "Rust" on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.
A general view shows a locked gate at the entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch on October 22, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Security guards stand behind a locked gate at the entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch on October 22, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
An exterior view shows a lighted 'EMERGENCY' sign near the emergency entrance to Christus St. Vincent Medical Center, where "Rust" director Joel Souza was transported, on October 21, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
An exterior view shows the entrance to Christus St. Vincent Medical Center, where "Rust" director Joel Souza was transported, on October 21, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
A sign points to the direction of the Bonanza Creek Ranch where a fatal shooting occurred on a movie set on October 22, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Security stands at the entrance to a film set where police say actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun, killing a cinematographer, is seen outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. The Bonanza Creek Ranch film set has permanent structures for background used in Westerns, including "Rust," the film Baldwin was working on when the prop gun discharged.
Halyna Hutchins, cinematographer on “Rust,” was shot on Thursday in the desert on the southern outskirts of Santa Fe. Hutchins, 42, was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joel Souza was wounded in the collarbone area, was taken by ambulance to a medical center.
Baldwin said he is fully cooperating with authorities during an investigation.
Sutton told People following Thursday’s incident, “I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.”
Earlier this week, Sutton wrote on her private Instagram page, “There’s no such thing as a prop gun,” according to People.
Lee, who was the son of actor and marital artist Bruce Lee, was 28 when he died.
