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Alec Baldwin has expressed his deep “shock and sadness” after he accidentally shot and killed his director of photography with an apparent real bullet on the set of his latest movie, the Guardian reports.

The actor was acting in or rehearsing for the western Rust when he discharged what he thought was a prop firearm. The cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally struck and the director Joel Souza was wounded, the Santa Fe sheriff’s office said.

Despite attempts to save her, Hutchins was pronounced dead after being flown by helicopter to the University of New Mexico hospital. Souza was being treated at Christus St Vincent regional medical centre, where he was brought by ambulance.

On Friday, Baldwin tweeted: “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.”

A report emerged on Friday afternoon that a group of camera crew workers had walked off the set in a protest about poor working conditions, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood actor said he was in touch with Hutchins’ husband, Matthew, with whom she had a young son. “[I’m] offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna,” Baldwin said.

The sheriff’s office said no charges had been brought following what appeared to be a tragic accident. The 63-year-old actor went “voluntarily” to the Santa Fe county office and spoke with investigators, spokesperson Juan Rios said.