Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter over Rust move set shooting

Alec Baldwin

January 31 2023 09:42 PM

Alec Baldwin has been formally charged with involuntary manslaughter following the 2021 Rust movie shooting which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Both Baldwin and the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed face two charges stemming from the incident on the film’s set in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The charges were formally filed on Tuesday by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office.

In a statement, District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said: “Today we have taken another important step in securing justice for Halyna Hutchins.

“In New Mexico, no-one is above the law and justice will be served.”

The Santa Fe District Attorney says that Baldwin was not present for “required" firearms training ahead of filming on the Rust movie, and exhibited “reckless behaviour” in the lead up to Ms Hutchins’ death.

In a statement of probable cause filed on Tuesday, the DA noted that the actor had only received “minimal training on firearms” even despite requests from Gutierrez-Reed.

It also added that, according to evidence gathered, Baldwin had pointed the firearm at Ms Hutchins in the lead up to the incident.

“Whether guided by (Hutchins’) directions or not, Baldwin knew the first rule of gun safety is never point a gun at someone you don’t intend on shooting,” the statement read.

“In addition, always assume a gun is loaded. Had Baldwin performed the required safety checks with the armorer, Reed, this tragedy would not have occurred.”