As reported by BuzzFeed News, back on Oct. 21, Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while the pair were working on the set of the actor's film Rust. While the revolver was pointed at the camera, Baldwin discharged the gun, which hit Hutchins and the movie's director, Joel Souza. Souza survived with injuries, but unfortunately, Hutchins passed away. Since the accident, the actor has claimed that gun safety on the movie set was not his responsibility, maintaining that though he did pull back the gun's hammer, he did not pull the trigger.
Previously, the actor's attorney, Luke Nikas, released a statement to BuzzFeed News: "Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set."
Additionally, court documents have revealed that it was Rust's assistant director, Dave Halls, who greenlit the prop gun as safe for use and handed it to Baldwin, unaware that the revolver contained life rounds of ammunition. For his part, Halls has already cut a deal and pleaded guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon in exchange for a suspended sentence and six months of probation.
This week, Baldwin and the film's armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were both charged for their part in Hutchins's death. A jury will determine if either party is guilty of the cinematographer's tragic passing.
Prosecutors Claim That Alec Baldwin Ignored 'The First Rule of Gun Safety'
When the charges against the actor were filed, prosecutors alleged that Baldwin ignored "the first rule of gun safety" when he pointed the weapon at Hutchins. They stated, "Had Baldwin performed the required safety checks with the armorer this tragedy would not have occurred," they wrote in a probable cause statement. "If Baldwin had not pointed the gun at Hutchins this tragedy would not have occurred."
Prosecutors have also claimed that the actor skipped mandatory firearms safety training before filming for Rust began. They alleged that Baldwin did not attend the required session, and as a result of his decision, the actor only had "minimal training on firearms."
The film's armorer agreed with the claims and told investigators that she'd felt additional safety training was "very important" for Baldwin due to his character's extensive use of guns throughout Rust. In documents, Gutierrez-Reed additionally alleged that Baldwin was supposed to receive a private, hour-long session on gun safety but claimed that the actor was only there for 30 minutes and was "distracted and talking on his cell phone to his family during training."
Prosecutors added, "The on-set and limited time of training does not comport to industry standards. Baldwin's failure to ensure minimum standards were met is considered reckless in the industry."
Last month it was confirmed that there would be charges for Hutchin's tragic death. In response to the news, Hutchin's husband, Matt Hutchins, thanked prosecutors in a statement. It said, "It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law. We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law."