Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was present at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins’s on-set death during the filming of Rust in October 2021, will face criminal charges for their roles in the tragedy. The Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office decided whether or not to bring charges more than a year after the tragic shooting on the set of the film Rust. Through this article, you cqan learn in detail about the allegations and cause behind them against Alec Baldwin.
How did Alec Baldwin contribute to the filming of Rust?
According to People, On October 21, 2021, while filming at the famous Bonanza Creek Ranch south of Santa Fe, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by Baldwin, whose pretend gun turned out to contain live ammunition. Baldwin insists he did not fire the shot that wounded Director Souza, who was also present. A crew member claims there were many “red flags” on the set of Rust leading up to the fatal shooting. Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department reported in a press release received by PEOPLE that they responded to a shooting on the Rust set at Bonanza Creek Ranch at approximately 1:50 p.m. local time.
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The investigation led the sheriff’s office to discover that Hutchins and Souza’s deaths were caused by Baldwin’s “discharging a prop handgun,” which was a stunt. The sheriff’s office said Hutchins was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital, but she later died there from her wounds. Despite being admitted to the hospital, Souza was released on October 22, according to his representatives’ statement provided to Deadline. Apparently, Gutierrez Reed didn’t keep the guns “secure” and “locked up” while filming, as claimed by a team member.
What will Alec Baldwin be accused of?
Baldwin and armorer Gutierrez-Reed was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter on January 19 by Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb, over a year after the fatal incident on set. Director of Rust Souza, who was shot and injured, will not face any charges due to the event. According to the press announcement, David Halls, the assistant director, pleaded guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon. Criminal charges will be filed against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew, New Mexico Attorney General Hedy F. Carmack-Altwies announced in a statement after reviewing the evidence and the state’s laws.
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Can we expect the production of Rust continuing?
Matthew Hutchins’ wrongful death claim against Baldwin and other Rust producers was settled in October 2022. As part of the compromise, the cast and crew decided to have Matthew serve as executive producer and finish filming. According to the plan, Rust production would go back up in January 2023 after taking a 15-month break. Variety claimed that after its contentious return, filming would not take place in New Mexico and that California was being explored instead.
