Alec Baldwin will be charged this month with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
She was killed on the set of "Rust," which was being filmed near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in October 2021.
The film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of making sure the gun wasn't loaded with real bullets, will also be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” said Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
The charges are fourth-degree felonies. They are each punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine, the district attorney said.
Carmack-Altwies said assistant director David Halls entered into a plea agreement on a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. He will receive six months of probation.
“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. It’s that simple,” said Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor appointed by the district attorney to the case. “The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”
Baldwin claimed that he was told the gun was safe. He also said in a TV interview that he did not pull the trigger when the gun went off. He claimed he only cocked the hammer.
The district attorney said no charges will be filed related to the shooting of director Joel Souza. He was wounded in the incident.
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