In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood heartthrob Alec Baldwin and the armorer on the set of the upcoming film “Rust” have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the tragic death of beloved cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
According to reports, Baldwin fired the fatal shot while preparing to film a scene at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, allegedly loaded the weapon. Mary Carmack-Altwies, the First Judicial District Attorney in Santa Fe, announced the charges in a statement on Thursday, stating that Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed each face two counts of involuntary manslaughter, which carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail. They also will be charged with an enhancement for use of a firearm which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
Alec Baldwin Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter over October 2012 ‘Rust’ Shooting
Adding to the drama, it was also announced that David Halls, the film’s first assistant director, has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of “negligent use of a deadly weapon.” Halls reportedly handed the loaded Colt .45 to Baldwin, and under the plea agreement, Halls will be given six months of probation but will not serve jail time.
The unfortunate incident happened in October 2021 while preparing to film a scene at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Many are questioning the safety protocols on the “Rust” set, with special prosecutor Andrea Reeb stating, “If any one of these three people – Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez Reed or David Halls – had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today.”
Baldwin has claimed that Halls told him the weapon was “cold,” meaning it contained only dummy rounds. However, investigators found that the gun was loaded with one live bullet, which resulted in Hutchins’ death. Brian Panish, the attorney for Hutchins’ widower and son, issued a statement expressing the family’s support for the charges, stating that “it is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law.”
However, Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, has argued that the decision “distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.” Baldwin has also repeatedly claimed that he is not to blame for the incident.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office turned over their findings to the prosecutor’s office in October, well over a year after the incident. The prosecutor’s office decided not to prosecute Sarah Zachry, the propmaster who worked alongside with Gutierrez Reed, or Seth Kenney, the weapons supplier. Both have been named as defendants in several civil suits.
The involuntary manslaughter charges will be filed against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed before the end of the month. Both defendants will then make a “first appearance” in court, which can be done virtually. No court dates have yet been scheduled.
The tragic incident has sparked a broader conversation about set safety, though no new laws have been passed to tighten regulations. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
