According to the Sun, when Massee discharged the .44 Magnum revolver loaded with gunpowder at the Carolco Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina, a bullet fragment ignited a blank cartridge inside the barrel, causing it to propel into Lee’s body approximately 15 feet away.
The fragment in the barrel, which is known as a “squib load,” became lodged as a part of a dummy shell that is virtually identical to a live round. This happened during a scene where Lee hit someone without realizing it had a previous live round.
The article reported in the New York Times in 2016 that the actor’s character died at the age of 64 from stomach cancer, forcing him to take a lengthy break and leaving Massee devastated. The actor died on the operating table after six hours of emergency surgery.
In “The Crow,” the performer portrayed the character of a drug-addicted criminal, which showcased Lee as a rock artist who returned from the afterlife to seek vengeance on the criminals who killed him and his future spouse. He remarked, “Hence, I am highly aware of any mishaps that occur on set. It is something that I want to ensure is never repeated when I work. It holds great personal significance.” CNN stated, “It is something I will have to endure… It took me the necessary time to not only gain perspective but also to move forward with my life,” he disclosed to Extra TV in 2005. The incident involving Brandon was a tragic mishap.
After a prolonged break, Massee returned to acting and played a Satanist murderer in the 2005 “Revelations” miniseries on NBC, as well as a terrorist on the hit series “24” on Fox.
After an investigation by the District Attorney Jerry Spivey, it was determined that there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing reported in The Times in 1993. Due to negligence being a contributing factor, no criminal charges would be filed over Lee’s death.
The LA Times stated that year that the carelessness legal claim initiated by Lee’s mother, Linda Lee Cadwell, against the studio was ultimately resolved outside of the courtroom.
According to an email seen by Indie Wire, a prop gun used by Baldwin contained a real bullet, as reported by a union representing prop masters on Thursday.
After the tragic shooting, the devastated actor reportedly asked over and over why he was given a hot “gun” that left the director Joel Souza, 48, injured and the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, dead on the set of the upcoming Western film “Rust”.
“Throughout my entire life, I have never been given a loaded firearm,” the actor purportedly kept repeating.
“Had no idea how badly they were hurt or Halyna was dead,” Baldwin said a witness after the ordeal and in shock.
Souza has allegedly been discharged from a medical facility. Hutchins was transported by helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where she passed away as a result of her wounds.
“Investigators are examining the manner and nature of the projectile’s release,” stated the sheriff’s department.
As of late Thursday, no charges had been filed and detectives are still conducting interviews with witnesses.