Rust shooting incident

Rust shooting incident
DateOctober 21, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-10-21)
Timec. 1:46 p.m. (Mountain Time)
LocationBonanza City, New Mexico U.S.
Coordinates35°32′36.3″N 106°5′52.3″W / 35.543417°N 106.097861°W / 35.543417; -106.097861
TypeAccidental fatal shooting, manslaughter
DeathsHalyna Hutchins
Non-fatal injuriesJoel Souza
AccusedAlec Baldwin
Convicted
  • David Halls
  • Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
ChargesBaldwin:
Involuntary manslaughter
Trial
  • Gutierrez-Reed's trial ran from February 21 – March 6, 2024
  • Baldwin's trial ran July 9–12, 2024
VerdictHalls:
Pleaded no contest
Gutierrez-Reed:
Guilty of manslaughter, not guilty of tampering with evidence
Baldwin:
Charges dismissed with prejudice by trial judge
ConvictionsHalls:
Negligent use of a deadly weapon
Gutierrez-Reed:
Involuntary manslaughter
SentenceHalls:
6 months probation
Gutierrez-Reed:
18 months in prison

On October 21, 2021, at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot and director Joel Souza was injured on the set of the film Rust when a live round was discharged from a prop revolver that actor Alec Baldwin was using.

The incident was investigated by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, the New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney, the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In an affidavit, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office stated that neither Baldwin nor first assistant director David Halls knew that the gun in question was loaded.[1] On January 31, 2023, the Santa Fe district attorney charged Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with one count each of involuntary manslaughter. Halls agreed to plead guilty to the charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon.[2]

On February 23, 2023, Baldwin pleaded not guilty,[3] and on April 20, it was reported that prosecutors had indicated that the charges against him were being dropped.[4] Gutierrez-Reed was later charged with tampering with evidence.[5] On March 6, 2024, Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.[6] Gutierrez-Reed was then remanded into police custody and sentenced to 18 months in prison on April 15, 2024.[7] On January 19, 2024, Baldwin was again indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter;[8] he pleaded not guilty.[9] Baldwin's trial began on July 9, 2024,[10] but the charges were dismissed with prejudice three days later over a Brady disclosure violation.[11][12] The judge found that authorities, in an "intentional and deliberate" manner, withheld evidence regarding a set of bullets from the defense, and that this displayed "signs of scorching prejudice".[13][14]

The incident prompted a public discussion on occupational safety in the film industry, the treatment of its employees, and the use of real guns as props.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYTimesAffidavit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Campbell, Josh. Alec Baldwin has been formally charged in 'Rust' shooting Archived February 26, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, CNN, January 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Jacobs, Julia (February 23, 2023). "Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  4. ^ Melas, Chloe (April 20, 2023). "Prosecutors plan to dismiss charges against Alec Baldwin in 'Rust' shooting, Baldwin's attorney tells CNN". CNN. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Hipes, Patrick (June 22, 2023). "'Rust' Prosecutors Add Evidence Tampering Charge Against Film's Armorer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Patten, Dominic (March 6, 2024). "'Rust' Armorer Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Fatal Shooting Of Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins; Defendant Not Guilty Of Evidence Tampering, Jury Says". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Melas, Chloe; Griffin, Dana; Moots, Sumika (April 15, 2024). "'Rust' movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed sentenced to 18 months". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  8. ^ Cho, Winston (January 19, 2024). "Alec Baldwin Indicted Again With Involuntary Manslaughter in 'Rust' Case". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Patten, Dominic (January 31, 2024). "Alec Baldwin Pleads Not Guilty To Renewed 'Rust' Involuntary Manslaughter Charges; Restrictions Placed On Actor's Movements & Meetings". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Jacobs, Julia (July 9, 2024). "Jury Chosen in Alec Baldwin Trial: Here's What to Know". New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jacobs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference London was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ross was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference tossed was invoked but never defined (see the help page).