Actor Alec Baldwin will face criminal charges for a fatal shooting he was involved in on the set of the film Rust. In October of 2021, Baldwin reportedly discharged a prop firearm at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Hutchins died from the injury, postponing production of Rust and resulting in many commentators questioning how the film’s crew allowed such a lapse in on-set safety.
Now authorities plan to charge Baldwin and the set’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, with involuntary manslaughter. The two will be compelled to appear before the court but won’t be arrested ahead of their court appearances.
What Happened on Set?
The October 2021 incident has been the subject of much speculation since the news of Huthcins’ injury and death became public. The film’s director, Baldwin, Hutchins, and some other members of the crew were rehearsing before a scene on the day of the incident in a church on the set. Baldwin reportedly picked up a prop gun, and the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, told him that it was “cold.” Baldwin insists he never pulled the trigger on the firearm but instead pulled the hammer all the way back.
Whatever the case, the firearm was discharged in Hutchins’ direction and struck her. The shot also injured director Joel Suza. Hutchins died from the injuries, but Suza survived after medical treatment. Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed claim they had no idea there were any live rounds in the prop gun and insist they thought the firearm contained only blanks.
Charges Against Baldwin and Armorer
New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced on Thursday that the authorities were planning to charge both Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed with involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin’s lawyer said the charges were a “miscarriage of justice.”
“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,” Luke Nikas said in a public statement. “Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”
Hutchins’ Family Applauds Decision
Hutchins’ family has applauded the DA’s decision to bring charges against those involved in the cinematographer’s death. “We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life,” reads the family’s public statement.
Filming on Rust was expected to resume this month, but in light of the criminal charges, it’s hard to say what will happen with the film’s production.
