On October 21, 2021, tragedy struck on the set of the film “Rust” when Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed while filming a scene. Following an extensive investigation by the Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office, Hollywood star Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the movie, have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to Hutchins’ death.
New Mexico First District General Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies made a statement regarding the charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed saying, “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.”
“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.” She added, “The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”
SPECIAL PROSECTOR REEB: “If any one of these three people—Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls—had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s that simple"
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) January 19, 2023
The incident occurred during a stunt gone wrong where Halyna Hutchins was reportedly shot by Alec Baldwin. According to multiple eyewitnesses on set, Gutierrez-Reed gave Baldwin what she thought was a gun loaded with blanks. However, it appears these were not blanks as they allegedly contained live rounds that fatally wounded Hutchins during filming.
Baldwin has since denied any wrongdoing saying that he followed protocol at all times leading up to this tragic event — claiming at one point that his finger never touched the trigger before the shooting.
Well, THAT didn’t wear well…
“Larry Elder is a dangerous idiot. I mean Trump level dangerous”
—Alec Baldwin, September 2021#AlecBaldwin pic.twitter.com/X6Fnjiq4Yp— Larry Elder (@larryelder) January 19, 2023
It appears this did not suffice as investigators have still come out with these indictments against him and Gutierrez-Reed.
This incident has caused massive ripple effects within Hollywood circles as questions are now being raised about how well producers are adhering to safety regulations on sets across America.
It remains to be seen how both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will fare under their trial, but it appears more than likely that their career trajectories might very well take major hits, especially if found guilty for something as serious as involuntary manslaughter.
