‘Rust’ set shooting: Actor Alec Baldwin formally charged with involuntary manslaughter

Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed – who supervised weapons on the set of the Western Rust – have been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, according to court documents filed by prosecutors Tuesday. However, both the actor and the weapons specialist maintain their innocence and have vowed to fight the charges.

During rehearsals at a ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on 21 October 2021, Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when the gun went off, killing her and wounding the director, Joel Souza.

The manslaughter charge includes two alternative standards and sanctions. While one version would require proof of negligence, the other is for reckless disregard of safety “without due caution and circumspection.” The first alternative is punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine. But the second one could result in a mandatory five years in prison. A jury may eventually decide which alternative to go for, prosecutors have mentioned.

Keep Reading

The charging document includes a number of “acts or omissions of recklessness” leading up to the deadly shooting, such as

  • Against industry standards, not using a plastic or replica gun for an unscheduled rehearsal
  • Against protocol, allowing the armourer to leave the movie set
  • Hiring the armourer without adequate certification
  • Not addressing safety complaints raised on set
  • Not receiving the firearm directly from the armourer

Baldwin has filed a lawsuit against people involved with the film, including Gutierrez-Reed, alleging they failed to check the gun carefully. The weapons specialist has said she has checked that the rounds she loaded in the prop gun were dummies before it was handed to Dave Halls, the film’s assistant director, who ultimately handed it to the actor and told him it was an unloaded gun.

Staff Writer

Politics, diplomatic developments and human stories are what keep me grounded and more aligned to bring the best news to all readers.

Recent Posts

Gaetz for Attorney General? McCarthy’s Skepticism Hints at Tough Road Ahead

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) expressed doubts about the confirmation chances of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)… Read More

November 14, 2024

Mercosur and UAE Move Closer to Landmark Free Trade Agreement

Negotiation of the trade agreement with Mercosur and increasing interest in Middle Eastern market advances with the potential to drive… Read More

November 14, 2024

Top Grossing Local Film: “Hello, Love, Again” Earns ₱85M on First Day

"Hello, Love, Again," the movie starring Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards earned over ₱85 million on its first… Read More

November 14, 2024

Ex-Captain Rashid Latif Advocates Pakistan’s Cricket Independence from India

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has voiced strong opinions about cricket match between India and Pakistan. He said that Pakistan… Read More

November 13, 2024

Slow Progress on Colombia’s Land Reform Efforts Stalls Hopes for Peace and Stability

President Gustavo Petro’s goal of redistributing land in Colombia—an issue central to the 2016 peace agreement between the government and… Read More

November 13, 2024

Fox News Host Pete Hegseth Nominated to Lead Pentagon Under Trump Administration

In a rather surprising decision, Donald Trump suggested Pete Hegseth, a news anchor at Fox News, become the Secretary of… Read More

November 13, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More