Everything to Know About the Rust Shooting Case and Alec Baldwin’s Upcoming Trial

Here is the status rust shooting case following the tragic death of videographer Halyne Hutchins on October 21, 2021.

Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed were at the center of the case, who were the star/co-producer and gunsmith of the western film.

After the death of cinematographer Hutchins, who was killed by a revolver held by Baldwin on set in New Mexico, Gutierrez Reed and Baldwin were charged with two counts of manslaughter in January 2023. The actor claims he did not pull the trigger and the gun shop filed criminal charges against she declared in writing that she is not guilty.

In April 2023, the criminal charges initially filed against Baldwin were dismissed while the charges against Gutierrez-Reed remained unchanged, according to a statement from the DA’s office.

However, in January 2024, Baldwin was again charged in connection with the death rust shooting. Indicted by a New Mexico grand jury, the actor is now charged with involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, involuntary manslaughter (without due care or caution).

Meanwhile, Gutierrez Reed was recently found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a jury in the First District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico in March 2024. She was found responsible, in part, for the fatal shooting of Hutchins and acquitted of a separate charge of tampering with evidence. .

Read on for everything you need to know about the case, including what happens next.

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What is a movie rust eye?

rust set. Roberto E. Rosales/Albuquerque Journal/Zuma

According to IMDb, the film’s official synopsis rust reads: “A 13-year-old boy left to fend for himself and his younger brother after the death of their parents in 1880s Kansas goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after he is sentenced to hang for the accidental murder of a local rancher.”

Written and directed by Joel Souza, the low-budget American western stars Alec Baldwin as Harland Rust’s grandfather. Others in the cast include Travis Fimmel, Brady Noon, Frances Fisher, Jensen Ackles and Devon Werkheiser.

Baldwin also produced the film and co-wrote it with Souza.

In memory of photographer Halyna Hutchins: A look back at her life through her own photographs

How Alec Baldwin was involved in the filming rust shooting?

Alec Baldwin; Halyna Hutchins. Jesse Grant/Getty; Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

On October 21, 2021, cameraman Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed after Baldwin held a rifle that was found to contain live rounds fired during filming at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular filming location south of Santa Fe.

Director Souza was also wounded in the incident, and Baldwin claims that he did not pull the trigger. Production rust was full of “red flags” on set before the fatal shooting, according to a crew member.

Authorities responded to the incident on the set of Bonanza Creek Ranch in Rust around 1:50 p.m. local time after 911 calls indicating “an individual had been shot on set,” the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department wrote in a press release obtained by PEOPLE. .

After further investigation, the sheriff’s department learned that Hutchins and director Souza “were shot when Baldwin fired his firearm.”

Hutchins was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she died of her injuries, according to the sheriff’s department. Souza was hospitalized, but his representatives told Deadline on October 22 that he has since been released.

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Why were there live bullets on the set?

Alec Baldwin on set rust. Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office/ZUMA

The aforementioned insider told PEOPLE that they saw “a lot of red flags” while watching gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. (On film sets, a gunsmith is generally tasked with overseeing the weapons.) According to a crew member, Gutierrez Reed did not keep the weapons “secured” and “locked up” during filming.

Before working on rustGutierrez-Reed (the 25-year-old daughter of Hollywood gunsmith expert Thell Reed) has just finished working as the lead gunsmith on her first film The old waystarring Nicolas Cage — a performance she said Voices of the West the podcast made her question her ability.

“At first I was really nervous about it and almost didn’t take the job because I wasn’t sure if I was ready, but doing it — it went very smoothly,” she said of The old way job. “I think loading the blanks was the scariest thing for me because I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know anything about that,'” Gutierrez-Reed said on a podcast at the time.

rust24-year-old gunsmith said she ‘almost didn’t accept’ previous job: ‘I wasn’t sure if I was ready’

According to Los Angeles Timesthe rust production managers “struggled to hire experienced crew members” after nearly a dozen prop masters or gunsmiths turned down the job.

One of those pros was veteran prop master Neal W. Zoromski, who turned 1 rust dropped in late September 2021 after the producers insisted that only one person serve as assistant prop master and gunsmith.

Furthermore, Los Angeles Times reported that six crew members had left the set rust to protest working conditions – including long hours, long commutes and waiting for pay – while failing to follow strict safety protocols, such as weapons inspections.

rust Film crew ‘didn’t feel safe’ before filming incident involving Alec Baldwin, source says

What is Alec Baldwin accused of?

Alec Baldwin. Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images

More than a year after the fatal shooting on set, Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and Special Prosecutor Andrea Reeb announced on January 19, 2023 that Baldwin and gunman Gutierrez-Reed would be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter .

No charges will be filed in connection with the shooting rust director Souza, who was injured in the incident. Assistant director David Halls signed a plea deal for negligent use of a deadly weapon, according to a press release.

“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 the other members rust to the film crew,” Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. “In my place, no one is above the law and everyone deserves justice.”

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Reeb added: “If any of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today. It’s as simple as that. The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for security at rust movie set. There is no place in New Mexico for film sets that do not take seriously our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety.”

Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, “This decision distorts the tragic death of Halyne Hutchins and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live round in the gun — or anywhere on movie set. He relied on the professionals he worked with, who assured him that the gun had no live rounds.”

We will fight against these accusations and we will win, added Nikas.

Jason Bowles and Todd J. Bullion, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys, said in a statement: “Hannah is, and always has been, very emotional and saddened by this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter. These charges are the result of a very flawed investigation and incorrect understanding of all the facts. We intend to bring the full truth to light and trust that Hannah will be acquitted by a jury.”

On Jan. 31, District Attorney Carmack-Altwie formally filed charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed, including two counts of manslaughter.

What was the verdict for Alec Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez Reed?

In April 2023, it was announced that the criminal charges initially brought against Baldwin had been dismissed.

However, the charges against Gutierrez-Reed remained unchanged, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office. (Actor i rust gunner Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both previously charged with two counts of manslaughter; (In February, prosecutors dropped firearms enhancement charges against both sides.)

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said, “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”

In January 2024, Baldwin was again charged in connection with the death rust shooting. Indicted by a New Mexico grand jury, the actor is now charged with involuntary manslaughter (negligent use of a firearm) or alternatively, involuntary manslaughter (without due care or caution).

With this new charge, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison under New Mexico law.

Gutierrez Reed, meanwhile, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a jury in the First District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in March 2024. She was found responsible, in part, for the fatal shooting of Hutchins and was acquitted of a second count of tampering with evidence.

In her closing arguments, prosecutor Kari Morrissey said in part, “The stunning lack of diligence in gun safety is without a doubt a significant cause of Halyne Hutchins’ death,” according to ABC News.

Defense attorney Jason Bowles said during his closing argument that Gutierrez Reed is “a good person to go down.” In addition, he said detectives did not conduct a thorough investigation into the October 2021 shooting.

Bowles told PEOPLE after the verdict that he would appeal.

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Will the movie rust yet to be made?

Set for rust. Jae C Hong/AP/Shutterstock

In October 2022, Baldwin et al rust the producers settled a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Hutchins’ widower, Matthew. With the settlement, the team agreed to complete the film with Matthew now executive producing.

Production included rust it said it would resume in January 2023, under an agreement that production could resume after a 15-month hiatus. After a controversial resume, Diversity reported that it will not be filmed in New Mexico.

Baldwin continued filming rust at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana, in April 2023. In May 2023. rust wrapped recording. Baldwin announced the news on his Instagram, along with a photo of two of the film’s cast members posing together while writing in part that the film’s ending was “nothing short of a miracle.”

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Source: HIS Education