Alec Baldwin was drawing a revolver across his body and pointing at the camera when a cinematographer was shot dead, the director revealed.
Director Joel Souza, 48, was hit in the shoulder by the bullet that killed mother-of-one Halyna Hutchins, 42, during a rehearsal.
Souza remembered stumbling after hearing a “whip and loud pop” on the set of western Rust.
He told investigators Baldwin, 63, was sitting on a church pew practising a “cross-draw” of the firearm from its holster.
His affidavit says Halyna was “complaining about her stomach and grabbing her midsection” after the accident.
Court documents state: “Joel said Halyna began to stumble backwards, and she was assisted to the ground. Joel explained he was bleeding from his shoulder, and could see blood on Halyna.”
The cameras were not rolling at the time on the set at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.
Souza said he was not sure if the gun had been checked anew after a lunch break. Baldwin was assured the gun was not loaded with live ammunition, he added.
Souza said armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed checked prop weapons, and assistant director Dave Halls rechecked them.
It was Halls who gave Baldwin the gun on Thursday, police said.
Cameraman Reid Russell, who was standing next to Halyna, said she could not feel her legs.
He also told investigators Baldwin had been careful with weapons, citing an earlier scene.
“Alec had made sure it was safe and that a child wasn’t near him when they were discharging a firearm,” the warrant states.
The distraught actor was seen on Saturday at a hotel in Santa Fe embracing Halyna’s husband Matt and their nine-year-old son.
Mourners held candles during one of two moving vigils this weekend in tribute to Halyna.
No one has been charged as the investigation continues.
Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria, 37, said: “My heart is with Halyna. Her husband. Her son. Their family and loved ones. And my Alec."
