Video of Alec Baldwin rehearsing with gun on 'Rust' set released by New Mexico sheriff

The footage shows the actor practising with what appears to be the firearm that went off in his hand

Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP

A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP

The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP

A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP

Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP

Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal

A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP

A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP

Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP

A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP

A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP

A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP

New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters

Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

A New Mexico county sheriff on Monday released a video of actor Alec Baldwin rehearsing with an old-west style revolver on the set of the filmRust before the gun went off in his hand, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza also made public crime scene photos and videotaped interviews with cast members of Rust, including Baldwin, but said a formal decision on criminal charges would depend on further forensic examination.

"Various components of the investigation remain outstanding, including FBI firearm and ballistic forensics along with DNA and latent fingerprint analysis, [coroner's] findings and the analysis of Mr Alec Baldwin's phone data extracted by Suffolk County Sheriff's investigators," Mendoza said.

The state of New Mexico last week fined Rust Movie Productions the maximum amount possible, $137,000, for what it called "wilful" safety lapses leading to the death of Hutchins.

The 42-year-old was killed during filming in October when the revolver Baldwin was holding fired a live round that struck her in the chest and lodged in the shoulder of director Joel Souza, who survived the gunshot wound.

Baldwin has denied responsibility for Hutchins' death and said live rounds should never have been allowed on to the set of the film at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico.

The footage released on Monday, with no accompanying sound, shows Baldwin in costume as an old west gunslinger practicing with what appears to be the gun that went off in his hand, killing Hutchins.

Separate video shows the actor being questioned by officers at the scene of the shooting as well as in a police station.

Baldwin, a producer on the film, has been named in several lawsuits filed in connection with Hutchins's death, including one by her husband, Matthew.