Australia: Stunt actor mistakenly shot dead during filming of music video
A music video stunt has led to the death of Johann Ofner, a seasoned actor and stuntman from the Gold Coast.
According to ABC News, Ofner, 28, was shot in the chest while Australian hip-hop group, Bliss n Eso filmed a music video at a bar in Eagle Lane in Brisbane, a city in Australia, around 2pm on Monday.
Police has called the unfortunate development a “workplace incident.”
Ofner died inside the Brooklyn Standard bar, which had been hired as a location for the music video, Detective Inspector, Tom Armitt said.
Reports say during the scene, several actors fired guns and Ofner, a carpenter by trade, suffered wounds to his chest. No one else was injured in the shooting.
Police reportedly arrived to find the film crew actively performing CPR on Ofner, and officers assisted until paramedics arrived. The actor was reportedly treated for nearly an hour before being declared dead.
It is yet unclear whether the firearms being used were loaded with live ammunition or blanks, but police sources say blank cartridges can still cause injuries if fired at close range.
The Hip-hop group members, Bliss, Eso and Izm released a statement on Facebook, expressing their sadness over the accident.
“We were not on set at the time and our management team are currently working with the police and the production company filming the video to get more details.
“The three of us are extremely upset and shaken up by this and our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family and friends as well as the cast and crew who were involved in the clip today,” they said.
The group had issued a call out seeking actors to play the parts of businessmen, taxi drivers and drug dealers in the music video for their track “Friend Like You”.
Ofner was rumoured to have an upcoming appearance in reality TV show Australian Ninja Warrior.
