Bliss N Eso have released a new statement following the horrific incident that saw 28-year-old stuntman Johann Ofner fatally shot on the set of their new music video in Brisbane yesterday, while their management has confirmed the prop gun at the centre of the tragedy was loaded with blanks, not live ammunition.
The band’s statement reads:
We are devastated about the tragic passing of Johann Ofner. Out of respect to Johann’s family, friends and the on-going investigation we don’t feel it is appropriate for us to make further comment at this time. We chose not to disclose Johann’s details yesterday to ensure police had time to contact his family and friends, however this information is now clearly in the public forum. We continue to express our support and condolences to the family and friends of those so deeply affected by this sad event and appreciate your on-going understanding in this incredibly difficult time.
As there have been many varying media reports about what took place yesterday our management team are in the process of issuing further known information to the media.
Much love,
Bliss, Eso and Izm
As mentioned by the hip-hop collective, their management have begun releasing a list of other details surrounding the incident during the filming for their new single Friends Like You at Brisbane’s Brooklyn Strand bar, confirming that Johann was “tragically fatally injured when a prop gun was discharged as part of filming a scene in Bliss n Eso’s video clip. The gun was loaded with blanks, not live ammunition”.
They’ve also confirmed that the whole thing was being overseen by a licensed armourer, who’d been engaged by a “an accredited stunt company” to help film the sequence safely.
“The exact cause of Johann’s fatal injury is still to be confirmed, but as the gun was loaded with blanks, not live ammunition, the cause was not a bullet or live round,” the group’s management continue, adding that:
- “All of the appropriate permits were in place for the filming.
- “A licensed armourer was on location at the time to monitor the four firearms on site (one imitation, two hand guns and one shot gun).
- “Only professional stunt people were used in the scene that involved prop guns.
- “Any actors engaged by Bliss n Eso via a social media call out were not at any point involved in any scenes that used the prop guns.
- “The video clip for ‘Friends Like You’ is a “sliding doors” fictional story that contained a secondary scene depicting the robbery of a poker game. The poker segment was the final scene to be filmed after a week of filming and was the only scene to feature weapons and was a minor part of the overall story line.
- “The song and the video is about having a positive friend or influence in your life that helps you to overcome personal hardships and adversity. The music video was written as a short film where multiple story lines based around the theme of the song intersect at the end to ultimately depict a positive outcome against all odds.
- “Anti-violence messaging has been a continued theme in the band’s music since forming in the late ’90s.”
Speaking with the Courier Mail, weapons specialist John Bowring has warned that blanks – a type of cartridge has no bullet but contains gunpowder – can still be dangerous when fired.
“It is a requirement by law that if you have firearms, even imitation, having a licensed armourer (is also required) under film safety code, which falls under health and safety act,” he says.
“You then also normally have a safety officer, who oversees things that are happening on a film set when any stunts or hazardous procedures are underway.”
While Australia’s film and television union, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, reckon the tragic incident will likely spark a review of the film safety code.
“This is a wake-up call for those safety guidelines to be reviewed and extended into for example online productions, music videos, the whole other raft of screen production sector,” union rep Zoe Angus tells the CM.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigations into the shooting, with a review of CCTV footage taken during the filming of Bliss N Eso’s music video.
“Detectives have today continued to examine the crime scene and will also continue to review closed-circuit television footage, footage taken during the production and take further witness statements,” police said in an official statement.
“A ballistics test is also being conducted as is as a post-mortem examination, however these results may take some time to be returned to police.”
This latest news comes after it was revealed that Ofner had shared some foreboding photos on social media prior to his tragic death.
Reacting to the incident, Bliss N Eso previously said they were “upset and shaken up”, and sent love and prayers to the victim’s family and friends, as well as the cast and crew who were involved in the clip.
UPDATE 25/01/17: Crowdfunding has raised $55K for Johann Ofner’s grieving family.
