By Birthe Wenge
In October 2021, tragedy struck on the set of the western film “Rust”: Alec Baldwin (64) accidentally shot camerawoman Halyna Hutchins († 42) with a prop gun. Prosecutors in the US state of New Mexico have now filed charges against the actor.
The agency officially filed the lawsuit in the Santa Fe court on Tuesday (local time), after announcing the move in January. “In New Mexico, no one is above the law and justice is done,” said Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.
Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is also facing charges. She and Baldwin are charged with involuntary manslaughter. In the case of a guilty verdict with aggravating circumstances, there is a risk of up to five years in prison.
A musician plays the violin behind a photo of camerawoman Halyna Hutchins during a vigil in her honor Photo: Andres Leighton/dpa
The actor and the armorer maintain their innocence. Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, declined to comment Tuesday, citing his earlier statement on the case in which he described the charges as a “horrific miscarriage of justice” that he and his client will be prosecuting.
“Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the film set,” the statement said. “He relied on the professionals he worked with.” Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney said he would make a statement at a later date.
Alec Baldwin on the set of the movie “Rust” Photo: AFP PHOTO / Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office / HANDOUT
Prosecutor Carmack-Altwies said in an interview with the AP news agency in January that Baldwin should have known that there had been misfires on the set before and that several people had expressed safety concerns.
Flashback: Camerawoman Hutchins was fatally injured on October 21, 2021 while filming at a film ranch in Santa Fe. Director Joel Souza (49) was hit in the shoulder by the projectile and injured. Baldwin was the lead actor and producer of the western Rust. He was operating the gun during rehearsal for a scene when a shot was fired. Investigations revealed that the Colt had a real bullet lodged in it.