Family of cinematographer shot dead by Alec Baldwin demand answers as they ...

The heartbroken family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was shot dead by Alec Baldwin on a film set are demanding answers over the tragedy.

The 42-year-old's parents Antoly and Olga are said to be 'beside themselves with grief' after learning of their daughter's death from her husband Matthew.

She died shortly after being shot by Baldwin around 1.50pm Thursday at Bonanza Creek Ranch, near the city of Santa Fe in New Mexico, where they were filming the movie Rust.   

A friend from her hometown of Kiev in Ukraine told The Sun: 'The family is grieving but at the same time they are asking and they will want answers. If someone made a mistake then they will have to pay.

'They just don't understand how something dreadful like this could have happened when safety measures are supposed to be in place.

'They are also frantically trying to secure documents to get to the United States. Her mother does not have the correct paperwork.'

Film studio bosses are also worried of a major lawsuit from the family.

Last night, Matthew, a lawyer, was comforting their eight-year-old son Andros at home in California.

Born in Ukraine and raised on a Soviet military base 'surrounded by reindeer and nuclear submarines', Halyna, had trained as a journalist and spent time in Europe working on British documentaries before making the move to Los Angeles, where she had established her career - and started a family. Halyna grew up on a Russian military base and her father is believed to be a former member of the Soviet navy.  

Sister Sveltana who now lives in Indonesia said she was 'very proud' of Halyna and considered her a role model.

Earlier, husband Matthew told DailyMail.com: 'I have spoken with Alec Baldwin and he is being very supportive.'

Police have disclosed few details about the shooting, saying only that a 'projectile' was fired by a 'prop gun' and they are investigating. A spokesman for Baldwin last night issued a statement saying only blanks were used.

Matthew told DailyMail.com he was reluctant to comment on specifics of the tragedy at this time, but was gathering his thoughts and preparing a statement.

'At this time, I still have not had an opportunity to prepare a statement, which I am planning to release,' he said. 

'My intent is to, you know, put into words some of the things about her life and the situation which are I think most important. I plan to post that onto my Twitter as soon as I have an opportunity later today.

'There's obviously a lot to deal with whenever there's any death in the family,' he continued. 'We're moving around to address all the things we need to do on the ground. There's a lot of phone calls and messages.

'And we greatly appreciate all the sympathy,' he said. 'It feels like people are going to move mountains.'

'One thing we're trying to do is to set up a memorial with AFI, the American Film institute,' he said. 'And that is in process, and there will be more details in the statement.'

In two tweets on Friday, Baldwin said: '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.'  

According to witnesses on-set, Baldwin was stunned after firing the fatal round and asked: 'Why was I handed a hot gun?' 

Just two days before the tragedy, a smiling Halyna had posted a picture of her on set alongside Baldwin and surrounded by cast and crew members.

A photo taken in the aftermath showed a clearly distressed Baldwin bent double in anguish at the side of a parking lot, while in another picture he appeared distraught as he spoke on the phone.  

'Halyna loved him so much and enjoyed watching him grow into the handsome boy he is today,' one friend wrote in a moving Instagram tribute. 'I know she is looking after him and Matt in this horribly scary time.'

Social media photos capture a playfulness and sense of adventure, with Halloween costume parties, road trips with friends and days out exploring all lit up by Halyna's smile. 

She was also highly regarded by her peers and had been tipped as a 'rising star' by other cinematographers. 'She was somebody who was absolutely dedicated to art and integrity,' director, colleague and friend Adam Mortimer told GMB this morning. 'I can tell already she was going to be a genius.' 

Baldwin, 62, was filming a scene for new film Rust when the gun went off, fatally wounding Hutchins and leaving writer-director Joel Souza, 48, injured.

Hutchins was rushed to the University of New Mexico Hospital in an air ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time after. 

Souza was taken by ambulance to the Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Center. He has since been released although his exact condition is unclear.

Meanwhile Baldwin was taken to a Santa Fe detectives' office to be questioned about the shooting. He was not arrested and was later released without charge - though investigations are ongoing.  

The Santa Fe Sheriff's Office said the gun was fired during the middle of a scene that was either being filmed or rehearsed. It is unclear exactly how the gun was fired - whether by accident or on purpose. Detectives said the gun was 'discharged' and gave no further details. 

Fatal accidents with prop guns are rare, but not unheard of. Brandon Lee, the 28-year-old son of martial arts star Bruce Lee, was shot and killed on the set of The Crow in 1993 after part of a dummy round got lodged in the barrel of the gun - and was then fired into Lee's stomach when a second dummy round went off. 

It is a tragedy that has shaken the film industry and led friends, colleagues and strangers to pay tribute to Hutchins, whose life was so shockingly cut short.