UPDATE: Alec Baldwin Formally Charged In “Rust” Shooting With Involuntary Manslaughter

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On Tuesday, actor and producer Alec Baldwin was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deadly 2021 shooting on the set of his Western movie “Rust” in New Mexico.

Last month, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced she’d be bringing the charges following an investigation into the death of the movie’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, on the film’s set in October 2021. Similar charges were also formally filed against the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.

Alec Baldwin
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – OCTOBER 23: Candles are placed in front of a photo of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a vigil held in her at Albuquerque Civic Plaza on October 23, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hutchins was killed on set while filming the movie “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 21, 2021. The film’s star and producer Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm that hit Hutchins and director Joel Souza. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

As we previously reported, Baldwin was holding a gun during a rehearsal when it discharged, striking and killing Hutchins. Director Joel Souza was also wounded. According to a probable cause statement prosecutors filed with the court on Tuesday, an investigator working for the prosecution claimed that Baldwin simply failed to address “multiple significant safety violations” while the set. It was also noted that training in basic firearms safety rules was made available to Baldwin.

“The evidence clearly indicates that Baldwin recklessly ignored these rules, on multiple occasions, resulting in the fatal shooting,” the statement said.

RELATED: BREAKING: Actor Alec Baldwin Will Be Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in ‘Rust’ Killing

According to ABC news, first assistant director David Halls has already agreed to plead no contest for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. However, there is no set timeline for approval and a plea agreement is pending a judge’s approval.

Alec Baldwin
A photo of Halyna Hutchins is displayed as media attend a press conference with attorney Gary Dordick and Serge Svetnoy, chief lighting technician for the film Rust, as they speak about a lawsuit filed after the fatal shooting on the film Rust during a press conference on November 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. – US actor Alec Baldwin is being sued by a “Rust” crew member over the fatal on-set shooting of a cinematographer last month, lawyers said Wednesday. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, has since called the charging decision “a terrible miscarriage of justice” and promised to fight the charges.
“Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun — or anywhere on the movie set,” Nikas said in a statement following the announcement of charges. “He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds.”

Meanwhile, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, also said in a statement Tuesday that they plan to “fight these charges and expect that a jury will find Hannah not guilty.”

RELATED: Alec Baldwin Will Reportedly Continue Filming ‘Rust’ Movie Despite Recent Criminal Charges Over Halyna Hutchins’ Death

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1 thought on “UPDATE: Alec Baldwin Formally Charged In “Rust” Shooting With Involuntary Manslaughter”

  1. We have people in (NEW?) Mexico who have committed multiple intentional murders who are on the streets thru lax plea bargains. Zealous headline grabbers are pursuing their political agenda with this case and wasting more taxpayer $$$$$ to do it.

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