Actor Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins
This Thursday it is was announced that actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have both been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting on the New Mexico set of the film “Rust.”
Santa Fe First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb shared their decision this morning in a written statement to the media:
“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,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”
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As we previously reported, Halyna Hutchins, was in the middle of doing cinematography work on the Western when she was shot and killed by the film’s star, Baldwin during an accident while on set. It was said that he was practicing using a Colt .45 revolver when the trigger was pulled. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the shooting. The film’s first assistant director, Dave Halls, reportedly handed the gun to Baldwin while proclaiming “cold gun,” to let the crew know a gun with no live rounds were being used, according to a search warrant affidavit. Sadly, Hutchins was killed by a live round inside the gun, authorities said.
According to the DA’s office, Rust” first assistant director, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Following the news of the charges being announced, Halyna’s family thanked the sheriff’s office and the DA:
“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,” a statement issued on behalf of the Hutchins Family via attorney Brian J. Panish, Founding Partner of Panish | Shea | Boyle | Ravipudi LLP, per Fox News.
“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.”
Alex Baldwin who has maintained that it was an “accident,” has not yet released a statement regarding this latest update on this case.
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