Photo: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin was handed a loaded weapon and told it was safe to use on the set of Rust.

The actor accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the upcoming Western movie on Thursday, moments after being handed the weapon by an assistant director who indicated it was safe, new court records show.

According to the New York Times, which obtained an affidavit signed by Detective Joel Cano of the Santa Fe County sheriff's office, the assistant director shouted "Cold Gun" to explain that the gun did not have any live rounds in it.

It was reportedly one of three prop guns prepared by the armourer and set up outside on a cart.

The assistant director "did not know live rounds were in the prop-gun," the affidavit claims.

When Baldwin fired the gun, he hit Halyna Hutchins, the film's director of photography, who later died in hospital from her injuries.

Director Joel Souza was wounded in the shoulder and treated in hospital but later released.

Baldwin shared his grief on Twitter, the day after the accident, writing: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours.

"I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."