Alec Baldwin Indicted on Involuntary Manslaughter Charge in Fatal Shooting
SANTA FE, N.M. — A grand jury in Santa Fe has indicted Alec Baldwin on an involuntary manslaughter charge related to a fatal shooting that occurred during a rehearsal on a movie set in New Mexico in 2021. This development revives the case against the A-list actor.
New Analysis of Gun Leads to Indictment
Special prosecutors presented the case before a grand jury this week after receiving a new analysis of the gun used in the incident. Baldwin, who was both the lead actor and co-producer of the Western movie “Rust,” accidentally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal outside Santa Fe in October 2021. The incident resulted in Hutchins’ death and director Joel Souza’s injury.
Baldwin’s Version of Events
Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger, and the gun fired. However, the new analysis of the gun led to the indictment.
Civil Lawsuits Put on Hold
Prior to the indictment, several civil lawsuits seeking compensation from Baldwin and the producers of “Rust” were put on hold. The decision to present charges to a grand jury prompted this action. Among the plaintiffs in these lawsuits are members of the film crew.
Previous Dismissal and New Analysis
Special prosecutors initially dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin in April, citing the possibility that the gun had been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned. However, they later reconsidered and decided to refile the charge after receiving a new analysis of the gun.
Expert Analysis Supports Trigger Pull
The analysis conducted by experts in ballistics and forensic testing involved reassembling the gun using replacement parts. The gun had been damaged during testing by the FBI. The analysis concluded that the trigger must have been pulled or depressed based on the examination of the gun and the markings it left on a spent cartridge.
Charges Dropped Against Baldwin
Criminal charges against Alec Baldwin have been dropped in connection to the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The weapons supervisor on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering and is scheduled for trial in February. David Halls, the assistant director and safety coordinator, pleaded no contest to unsafe handling of a firearm and received probation.
FBI Report and Civil Lawsuits
An earlier FBI report stated that the gun could discharge without pulling the trigger if force was applied to an uncocked hammer, such as by dropping the weapon. The gun eventually broke during testing. The 2021 shooting resulted in multiple civil lawsuits, including wrongful death claims filed by Hutchins’ family members, alleging negligence in safety standards. Baldwin and other defendants have denied these allegations.
Fine and Resumption of Filming
Rust Movie Productions paid a $100,000 fine to state workplace safety regulators for violations of industry protocols. Production managers were accused of failing to address misfires on set prior to the fatal shooting. Filming of “Rust” resumed in Montana under an agreement with Matthew Hutchins, the widower of Halyna Hutchins, who became an executive producer.
