Alec Baldwin says he would never point a gun at anyone and then pull the trigger, but in an incident that came to light on Friday, he did exactly that.
The incident occurred on Jan. 21 in St. James Parish, Louisiana, where Baldwin says he was accused of pointing a gun at someone after the other person flashed a “gang sign” at Baldwin and his children at a park. The man in question, 46-year-old Ryan Dixson, told CBS affiliate WLBT that he was made to feel intimidated, though Baldwin and his publicist both deny the incident even happened.
“We are aware of the incident with a man in St. James Parish in January, and we are currently conducting our own investigation,” Baldwin’s publicist Matthew Hiltzik said. “It has not been substantiated by law enforcement. We are not aware of any other alleged incidents, and we are providing the same anonymity to all parties involved.”
The incident was reported to police and Baldwin confirmed it to The Hollywood Reporter, saying he did pull the trigger. The weapon turned out to be a pellet gun with a .22-caliber bullet, but the TV actor said he did not intend to cause harm.
“There’s no way in a million years that the gun was pointed at anyone,” Baldwin told THR. “It was shot at a distance. I’m not this morally flexible person who I think that it’s acceptable to point a gun at people. Never have, never will. I’m a father and I’m obviously a person who is cautious and somebody who keeps his firearms away from kids. I feel very safe with my firearms.”
Baldwin said he has a permit for a handgun, but he has a concealed carry permit for his pellet gun.
In 2017, he was arrested and charged with assault and criminal mischief after getting into a heated argument with his now-estranged wife Hilaria at their New York City home. He said it was over jealousy and he was threatened with being shot in the head.
Later that year, he was removed from an airplane after he was reported to have “anger management issues” after one of his fellow passengers used his phone to take pictures and videos of him while they were talking.
He has denied any wrongdoing.
Baldwin and Hilaria announced they were separating in June after nearly 10 years of marriage.