FBI report confirms Alec Baldwin pulled the trigger in fatal Rust set shooting

The FBI has handed down its findings following a forensics investigation into the fatal shooting on the set of Rust.

America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation has all but concluded actor Alec Baldwin must have fired the weapon on the set of the movie Rust that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, according to an explosive new report.

The forensics investigation by the FBI says the weapon in question could not have been fired without the trigger being physically pulled.

The report, seen by Sky News, says that with the hammer (the part of a gun that strikes the firing pin) in the quarter – and half-cock positions, the gun “could not be made to fire without a pull of the trigger”.

Halyna Hutchins was fatally struck by a bullet fired by a gun the trigger of which was pulled by Alec Baldwin, according to an FBI report. Picture: Supplied

Baldwin, the star and producer of the Western movie, which was being filmed in New Mexico, claimed he believed he was handling a “cold gun” – a Colt .45 without live ammunition when it went off and a live bullet hit Hutchins in the chest, killing her.

The film’s director, Joel Souza, who was standing nearby Hutchins, was wounded in the incident.

Police tell Alec Baldwin that Halyna Hutchins has not survived a shooting on the set of Rust. Picture: Supplied

Baldwin accidentally shot Hutchins while they were filming in October 2021 – but always maintained he did not actually pull the trigger.

In an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos last December, Baldwin insisted he didn’t fire the weapon.

Police bodycam video shows medics battling to save Halyna Hutchins’ life after the Rust movie set shooting. Picture: Santa Fe County Sheriff

“The trigger wasn’t pulled,” he said. “I didn’t pull the trigger.”

Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was in charge of all weapons on the “Rust” set, could not be reached for comment by the New York Post.

Alec Baldwin told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos that he had "no idea" how a live bullet got onto the set of "Rust," but that he "didn't pull the trigger" on the firearm. Picture: ABC

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, which is heading the homicide investigation, received the report and other FBI documents related to the shooting earlier this month, the sheriff’s office told ABC News.

The findings have been reviewed by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, and a further post-mortem report has classified Ms Hutchins’ death as an accident.

“Death was caused by a gunshot wound of the chest,” it says.

“Based on all available information, including the absence of obvious intent to cause harm or death, the manner of death is best classified as accident.”

In a TV interview about the Rust shooting, Baldwin said that while he “would go to any lengths to undo what happened”, he does not feel guilt over the fatal shooting – saying that while “someone is responsible for what happened … I know it’s not me”.