Judgment Day for Alec Baldwin: Rust shooting charges will be announced Thursday morning – more than a year after the Oscar-nominated actor accidentally shot the cameraman on the set of a western film
- Halyna Hutchins was killed by a shot inexplicably fired by Alec Baldwin
- Filming took place on the set of her film Rust in October 2021
- The Santa Fe set was then shut down and an investigation launched
- A ruling on who was at fault is scheduled to be presented by the Santa Fe Attorney’s Office
Santa Fe prosecutors will make a decision Thursday on whether to pursue charges in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, more than a year after lead actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed her.
Hutchins was killed by a live bullet fired by the actor on October 21, 2021. The Santa Fe set, which was overseen by Baldwin’s production company, was subsequently closed and an investigation launched.
The cameraman was shot by a gun Baldwin was holding, but the actor insists he didn’t pull the trigger and blames the props crew for not checking the gun was loaded.
Baldwin is among up to four people who could face criminal charges in the cameraman’s death, New Mexico District Attorney Carmack-Altwies previously said.
Criminal charges over the shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust are expected on Thursday, more than a year after Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed her
Halyna Hutchins, 42, was accidentally shot by Baldwin on the set of a western
More than a year after the shooting, criminal charges have yet to be filed — although a judge recently ruled that the Hutchins family could bring a civil suit against Baldwin and El Dorado Pictures Inc., ruling that negligence by both parties resulted in the employee’s death have .
The local prosecutor’s office had insisted the deal would have no impact on the criminal investigation into the death, adding: “No one is above the law.”
Documents released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office included reports of interviews with witnesses, including text messages and emails from crew and cast members, which sometimes described the chaotic and acrimonious conditions on set before Hutchins’ death became.
The documents still do not provide conclusive answers as to how live ammunition got onto the film set and into a replica Colt .45 caliber fired by Baldwin that killed Hutchins.
Baldwin was handed the gun during a rehearsal at a ranch outside of Santa Fe. A live round met her and film director Joel Souza, who survived.
Baldwin has denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death, saying live rounds should never have been allowed on the set of the low-budget film.
Baldwin and Hutchins on the set of Rust last year. He claims he never pulled the trigger
A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Fe following the October 2021 murder
The expected announcement from the Santa Fe First Circuit Attorney’s Office is expected Thursday and is part of the ongoing legal saga surrounding the death on set. Pictured: Bonanza Creek Ranch, where Baldwin shot Hutchins
Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on the set of the film on October 21, 2021
In police interviews and court cases, the armorer, first assistant director, props supplier, and props master all denied guilt in the filming.
The New Mexico Occupational Safety and Health Administration in April fined the film’s production company the maximum amount possible for what it described as “willful” safety breaches that led to Hutchins’ death.
According to an FBI report, five live bullets were found on a prop wagon and in a bandolier and holster near the film set church where Hutchins was shot.
Among others blamed for the shooting are gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who Baldwin claims did not properly inspect the gun, and assistant director Dave Halls, the last person to handle the revolver before Baldwin.
By the time Halyna was killed, many of the film crew had walked off the set in protest at the conditions and pay.
Baldwin, who serves as producer and main actor in the film, has since avoided criminal charges even after being found partially responsible for the tragedy. The civil settlement does not affect Santa Fe’s ongoing criminal investigation.