Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in Rust shooting

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin has been left shocked after being charged over the fatal shooting on the set of Rust, in a stunning announcement by prosecutors.

Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust” 15 months ago.

In a stunning announcement, US prosecutors probing the deadly shooting said armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed would also be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set in 2021.

Involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony in New Mexico that carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine ($A7,250).

Alec Baldwin and crew on the set of movie 'Rust' in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Picture: Supplied

The film’s first assistant director, David Halls, agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The deal includes a suspended sentence and six months of probation.

Both Gutierrez Reed and Halls handled the gun before it was passed to Baldwin for the deadly rehearsal.

Baldwin’s defence lawyer Luke Nikas said in a statement that the Hollywood actor would fight and beat the charges, setting up a protracted legal drama that could take years to resolve.

“This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice,” Mr Nikas said.

“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. We will fight these charges, and we will win.”

The decision, announced by Santa Fe’s district attorney Mary Carmack-AltwiesCarmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb, comes three months after the final report from the Santa Fe sheriff’s office.

Hannah Gutierrez Reed said was “still learning,” her role as an armorer on the set of Rust when Halyna Hutchins was killed. Picture: Facebook

Assistant director Dave Halls worked on the set of RUST where actor Alec Baldwin shot and killed a crew member. Picture IMDB

“After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the ‘Rust’ film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”

In a statement after the announcement, the cinematographer’s family said the charges were “warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life”.

“It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law,” the statement said.

“We support the charges, will fully co-operate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the District Attorney in charge of the Rust investigation, says she knows who loaded the gun that killed Halyna Hutchins. Picture: YouTube

Baldwin was holding the Colt. 45 during rehearsals for the film when it discharged, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza in October 2021.

The former “30 Rock” star has insisted he was told by crew that the gun was not loaded.

He has also previously said he did not pull the trigger, though experts have cast doubt on this claim.

A lengthy investigation has looked at how the live round — and five others — got onto the New Mexico film set, with attention focused on the armourer and ammunition supplier.

Investigators found the armourer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, had put the fatal round in Baldwin’s gun, instead of using a similar-looking dummy round.

Mary Carmack-Altwies, the district attorney for the part of New Mexico where the movie was being filmed, and the special prosecutor appointed to investigate the case, Andrea Reeb, will announce their decision on Thursday, a statement said.

Instagram photo of Halyna Hutchins who was shot on set of RUST being filmed in New Mexico by actor Alec Baldwin

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

That will come more than two months after the county sheriff’s office delivered its report into the incident.

Officials said last year that up to four people — including Baldwin — could face charges.

“Regardless of the District Attorney’s decision, the announcement will be a solemn occasion, made in a manner keeping with the office’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the judicial process and respecting the victim’s family,” a spokesman for the DA’s office said.

In August, Baldwin said he did not believe he would be charged, telling CNN he had hired a private investigator to assess possible culpability.

The Santa Fe, New Mexico Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that Alec Baldwin “discharged” the prop gun that killed one ‘Rust’ crew member.

Alec Baldwin and crew on the set of movie 'Rust' in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A raft of civil suits have been lodged in the months since Hutchins’ death, with various crew suing and countersuing.

In October, Baldwin reached an undisclosed settlement with the family of 42-year-old Hutchins.

It was also announced at the time that production on the low-budget movie would restart this year.

Widower Matthew Hutchins, who will become an executive producer, said “all the original principal players” would return to the set.

“Rust” director Souza said he would devote his work on the film “to honouring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud.” “Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started,” he said.

– With AFP

Originally published as Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in Rust shooting