Actor Alec Baldwin will not be charged in the shooting of Rust director Joel Souza, who was struck by the same bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as there is no charge of “unintentional battery” – What this means for his case.
No charges against Alec Baldwin for shooting Rust director Joel Souza
Actor Alec Baldwin, 64, was recently charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died on the set of the movie Rust in October 2021. However, the film’s director was struck by the same bullet.
The district attorney for New Mexico said that Baldwin will not be charged for injuring Souza, even though he was hit by the same bullet that killed Hutchins, Yahoo reported.
According to the DA, the shooting of Souza could only be characterized as “unintentional battery,” and no such thing exists, TMZ reported. The DA says battery requires intent, and Baldwin had no intention to hurt anyone.
The charges against Baldwin stem not from intentions but are rooted in recklessness.
Souza was hospitalized after the shooting. He has recovered and is set to resume filming of the movie and return in the role of director.
The incident on the Rust movie set occurred on October 21, 2021, as Baldwin practiced drawing a gun from his holster. The gun fired, and a round from the revolver pierced Souza’s shoulder and struck Hutchins in the chest.
Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger of the gun while vowing to fight the charges, which he calls a “terrible miscarriage of justice.”
At the time of the incident, Baldwin told police that when the gun was handed to him, it was “cold”– meaning it contained no round – and that he did not pull the trigger, the Daily Mail reported.
However, an FBI report claims Baldwin must have pulled the trigger for the gun to fire. Baldwin refutes the report.
Baldwin and armorer charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of Halyna Hutchins
On January 19, The Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office charged Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie Rust, the Daily Mail reported.
The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The Santa Fe prosecutor said, “an actor doesn’t get a free pass,” as she insists Baldwin did pull the trigger on the gun that fired.
If convicted, Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed face a maximum of 18 months in prison. If a firearm enhancement is added to the charge, they’ll both face a mandatory five-year prison sentence.
The film’s assistant director, Dave Halls, has pleaded guilty to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
An attorney for Baldwin said in a statement: “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set.”
