Criminal charges have been formally filed in connection with the deadly shooting on the set of Rust in 2021. Alec Baldwin, who was serving as a producer on the film in addition to its lead star, had been preparing to shoot a scene with a firearm that assistant director David Halls had told him was a "cold gun," suggesting it was loaded with blanks. Moments later, the weapon discharged a live round which injured director Joel Souza and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
On Thursday, it was announced that multiple members of the production, including Baldwin, are getting criminally charged. For his part, Halls has accepted a plea agreement for his charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon; he'll be given a suspended sentence with six months of probation. Meanwhile, Baldwin has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, as has Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Both have since released statements addressing the charges through their attorneys.
“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice," says Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas, per Deadline. "Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."
A separate statement from Gutierrez-Reed's attorney, Jason Bowles, criticizes the investigation while expressing a belief that the jury will have a better understanding of "the full facts" when the case goes to trial.
"Hannah is, and has always been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter," says Bowles. "These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation, and an inaccurate understanding of the full facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and believe Hannah will be exonerated of wrongdoing by a jury."
Alec Baldwin Was Planning to Finish Filming Rust
Special prosecutor Andrea Reeb says that the charges come after their investigation determined "a pattern of criminal disregard for safety" on the set of Rust. Reeb stresses that if Baldwin, Gutierrez-Reed, and Halls had "done their job" properly in terms of gun safety, then Hutchins would still be alive today. A new statement released by the Hutchins family through their attorney, Brian J. Panish, notes the family's support of the decision.
"We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life," that statement reads. "Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted. 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.”
This follows Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, settled his wrongful death lawsuit filed against Baldwin and others involved with the film. It was reported in October that there were plans to resume filming Rust in honor of Hutchins and that Matthew had joined the film as an executive producer. At the time, he also released a statement noting that the project has his blessing and that he wasn't interest in attributing "blame" to Baldwin or anyone else.
"I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin)," he said. "All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work.”
It was noted at the time that the goal was to resume filming by January 2023, but the current status of the project, such as how these charges will affect the planned production, is unknown.