‘Reckless’ Alec Baldwin ‘not fully’ trained with guns before fatal Rust shooting
Prosecutors have alleged Alec Baldwin was “distracted” during firearms training as the actor faces charges over a fatal shooting on the set of Rust.
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Alec Baldwin had not been fully trained with guns ahead of the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the western film Rust.
Prosecutors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, stated Baldwin was “distracted” during firearm training and shortly after the incident admitted to police he had fired the weapon – something he would later deny.
Mary Carmack-Altwies, the Santa Fe district attorney called Baldwin’s actions during the fatal shooting a “reckless deviation from known standards and practice”, as they officially hit him with involuntary manslaughter charges.
“According to Gutierrez-Reed, Baldwin was distracted and talking on his phone to his family during the training,” the prosecutors stated, adding: “Gutierrez-Reed stated in her deposition this training was essential and could have prevented the fatal shooting.”
Baldwin had a very different take on the training session in a US TV interview in December 2021, saying he and Gutierrez-Reed “spent an hour and a half shooting the pistol. Her giving me all her safety instructions”.
Ms Carmack-Altwies team noted that Hutchins was killed during an unscheduled rehearsal, during which the standard two safety checks were not carried out, and for which a plastic gun should have been used.
“Today we have taken another important step in securing justice for Halyna Hutchins,” Ms Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. “In New Mexico, no one is above the law and justice will be served.”
Hutchins, a 42-year-old married mother of one, was fatally wounded on October 21, 2021, when Baldwin fired a prop gun containing a live round. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the accident.
The charges follow 15 months of speculation on whether Ms Carmack-Altwies would find evidence Baldwin showed criminal disregard for safetywhen a gun he was rehearsing with fired a live round that killed Hutchins.
Ms Carmack-Altwies reported that the Oscar-nominated actor and producer of the film was not present for firearms training prior to the start of filming – and when an hour-long training session was scheduled, he appeared uninterested and was on his mobile phone.
According to the filing, when Gutierrez-Reed then booked a training session with the actor scheduled to last at least an hour, they only did about 30 minutes of actual training.
Baldwin has denied responsibility for the shooting, saying he cocked the revolver but never pulled the trigger and it was the job of Gutierrez-Reed and other weapons professionals to ensure it was unloaded.
“The evidence and facts speak for themselves,” Heather Brewer, a spokeswoman for Ms Carmack-Altwies’ office, said in a statement.
David Halls, the film’s first assistant director who handed the gun to Mr Baldwin, has agreed to plead no contest to the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to his lawyer.
BALDWIN'S WIFE DETAILS ‘EMOTIONAL TIME’
Earlier, Baldwin’s wife Hilaria described the “emotional time” her family has been facing since being told Baldwin would face charges.
In a message to her Instagram followers, she said: “I hope you understand how much your support and kindness to Alec and our children mean.
“Thank you for being our community and our village,” she wrote.
“You are helping us to be stronger parents and partners during this unimaginable time, stemming from such heartbreaking tragedy.
“Please know that I hear all of your outspoken words and each and every one of you reminds me daily that there is kindness in the world and we are not alone.”
Separately, speaking on her podcast Witches Anonymous the 39-year-old said she would have “crumbled” without the support she’s received.
“It’s been an emotional time for my family and I do so want to express to you how grateful I am for your support and your kindness and your reason,” she said.
“Quite honestly, I think without it, we would crumble, so thank you so much for being our rock right now because I don’t feel so strong.”
Hilaria Baldwin, who has seven children with the actor, has been a controversial presence throughout the drama.
Born Hillary Hayward-Thomas, the former yoga teacher has often addressed reporters camped outside the couple’s New York home in a bizarre Spanish accent.
She has conceded to spending holidays in Spain as a child but has no Spanish heritage, and was born and raised in Boston.
“On a human level, you guys know I’m not going to say anything to you. You know that. So please leave my family in peace and let this all play out. OK?” she said to waiting media.
Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed, are facing a maximum sentence of 18 months in jail based on their charges.
They also will be charged with an enhancement for use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
Baldwin shot and killed Hutchins in October 2021 while preparing to film a scene on the film’s New Mexico set after Gutierrez-Reed had loaded the weapon.
A lawyer for Baldwin called the charge against his client “a terrible miscarriage of justice.”
“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,” lawyer Luke Nikas said.
“We will fight these charges, and we will win.”
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Originally published as ‘Reckless’ Alec Baldwin ‘not fully’ trained with guns before fatal Rust shooting
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