Rust crew member sues Alec Baldwin, armourer for negligence after shooting

Alec Baldwin is facing a new legal challenge as he deals with the fallout over the shocking death of cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, on the set of Rust.

Alec Baldwin is being sued by a Rust crew member over the fatal on-set shooting of a cinematographer last month, lawyers. Picture: AFP

A lighting technician from the set of Rust is suing Alec Baldwin and the film’s armourer for negligence, claiming he suffered emotional distress after nearly being hit by the bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The film’s head electrician – known as the gaffer – Serge Svetnoy, claims he held Hutchins in his arms as blood poured from her gunshot wound, and desperately tried to save her after Baldwin accidentally shot her with a loaded prop gun, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Court.

Serge Svetnoy with his colleague and friend Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. Svetnoy has launched a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and the film’s armourer. Picture: AFP

Svetnoy and Hutchins had been friends for more than five years and worked together on nine films together. Both originally hailed from Ukraine, and they spent holidays together with their families. Svetnoy had given Hutchins the Ukrainian nickname ‘Galla’.

“I still cannot believe that she is no longer with us,” Svetnoy said. “What a tragedy and injustice when a person loses her life on film set while making art.”

Svetnoy claims Baldwin should have checked the gun before pulling the trigger, reports the New York Post.

“[Baldwin] owed a duty to [me] and other crew members and actors on the Rust set to handle the Colt Revolver provided to him by defendant Halls with reasonable care and diligence for the safety of Rust cast and crew,” the suit states.

Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins (circled) are pictured together on the set of Rust. Picture: Supplied

“This duty called for Defendant Baldwin to double-check the Colt Revolver with Halls upon being handled to ensure that it did not contain live ammunition,” it continues. “This duty further called for [Baldwin] to handle the Colt Revolver as if it was loaded and to refrain from pointing it at anyone.”

In the scene Baldwin was rehearsing, the actor was supposed to draw the gun and point it in the direction of the camera — but not pull the trigger, according to the lawsuit.

The gaffer — who is also suing the film’s armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, along with assistant director Dave Halls and others — also claims the people in charge failed to keep workers safe on set.

Halyna Hutchins was considered a rising star in Hollywood. Picture: Supplied

“They attempted to save money by hiring an insufficient number of crew members to safely handle the props and firearms,” the suit states, noting Baldwin was a producer on the film. It also alleges they violated industry norms, failed to allow proper time for gunfire and declined requests for a weapons training day.

In the lawsuit, Svetnoy calls the target practice with cans that took place shortly before the tragedy “outrageous.”

Svetnoy claims he’s since endured mental trauma and is demanding unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Neither Baldwin or Gutierrez-Reed have commented on the legal proceedings. Baldwin fired a single bullet that hit and killed Hutchins, exited her body and struck director Joel Souza in the clavicle while shooting the film in New Mexico on October 21.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was in charge of weapons on the Rust set. Picture Instagram

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Gutierrez-Reed said that his client is being “framed” over the death.

Lawyer Jason Bowles insisted that “sabotage” and a “tampered” crime scene were evidence that the inexperienced armourer was “framed” over the shooting.

The statement came a day after Gutierrez-Reed met with Santa Fe County Deputy Sheriffs about the double shooting. Hutchins was killed and Souza injured when Baldwin fired a “hot” prop gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks.

“We are asking for a full and complete investigation of all of the facts, including the live rounds themselves, how they ended up in the ‘dummies’ box, and who put them in there,” Mr Bowles said.

The lawyer said his client shared new “critical” information with local sheriffs as they await findings from the FBI and prosecutors.

“We are convinced that this was sabotage and Hannah is being framed. We believe that the scene was tampered with as well before the police arrived,” Mr Bowles said, without providing any details to back up his claim.

– with the New York Post