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SAFETY FIRST
FBI guest star says guns on set ‘look so real’ and reveals ‘protocols’ staff took after fatal Alec Baldwin Rust shooting
Alec Baldwin is set to face trial in New Mexico in July
FBI guest star Zack Palomo has revealed the ABC drama's thorough on-set protocol for guns and props after the fatal Alec Baldwin Rust shooting.
Alec, 66, is set to face trial in July on involuntary manslaughter after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died at 42 years of age in 2021 when a prop gun fired live ammunition on set.
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Zack revealed that his experience on set with the ABC drama was quite different in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun.
He played a character named Landon Garcia on Season 6, Episode 6.
Landon carried a poison gas that killed numerous people.
When he was caught by the FBI, he was surrounded by them and put his hands up in surrender before they took him into custody.
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Maggie Bell, played by Missy Peregrym, aimed a gun at Landon before arresting him.
However, Zack shared that although his adrenaline was pumping, he did not feel like he was in any real danger.
"The guns look so real [and] they're screaming at you to put your hands up... and it all feels very real, so it just amplified my performance," Zack said.
"And like, I think like all that adrenaline just like fueled the terror that my character was supposed to be feeling."
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"They have so many people on set to make you feel safe, especially for the scenes when you're getting a gun pointed at you or you're getting cops, like people are always coming up to you and [asking], 'Are you okay?'" he revealed.
Zack claimed the crew was always checking in on his comfort around the props including the guns and handcuffs.
FBI Season 6 Episode 6 Unforeseen Episode - Zack Palomo as Landon Garcia
"I remember someone actually came up to me and showed me the prop gun.
"And they were like, 'Take a look at this. It's not loaded and nothing in it.'
"So I'm sure those protocols - I mean, I'm assuming and hoping - they were in place before the Rust incident.
"I think they really take the time to make sure you feel comfortable [when] you're dealing with prop weapons.
They have so many people on set to make you feel safe, especially for the scenes when you're getting a gun pointed at you.
Zack Palomo
"They definitely made me feel safe about it," Zack concluded.
FBI just concluded its sixth season as the finale released on May 21, 2024.
SET SLAUGHTER
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust movie armorer, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter in April.
She had mistakenly loaded a live round into an imitation Colt .45 revolver which was then handed to Alec on set.
Alec was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, but the charges were dropped in April of the same year.
By January 2024, Alec was charged with the same crime and will head to trial in July where he faces the same potential sentence as Hannah.
Alec has denied the charges and his defense team is attempting to dismiss the case.
He has additionally denied pulling the actual trigger that caused the weapon to fire, but an analysis of the weapon revealed the trigger was pulled.
This analysis caused Alec to be charged with involuntary manslaughter again in January 2024.
INCONSISTENT
Alec claimed he only pulled back the hammer of the gun and had no knowledge the weapon contained live rounds.
Prosecutors have claimed Alec has changed his story over the years of the ongoing case.
Read More on The US Sun
"Every time Mr. Baldwin spoke, a different version of events emerged from his mouth and his later statements contradicted his previous statements," the prosecuting team stated.
Alec will face trial in New Mexico this summer, potentially facing 18 months in jail if found guilty.
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