Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting on the set of the movie “Rust”. The shooting happened back in October of 2021. Baldwin was the (accidental) shooter and also the producer of the movie. He held, what he presumably thought, was a gun with blank ammunition in his hand during a scene or rehearsal of a scene. Baldwin says the gun accidentally went off and shot Halyna Hutchins and producer Joel Souza. Hutchins, unfortunately, passed away and Souza was just injured.
Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter because authorities say that he pulled the trigger, although he says he did not. There is also an involuntary manslaughter charge for the on-set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The reason why she was charged is probably the same reason why Baldwin was charged, although she was not the shooter.
The set of “Rust” was a complete mess and a hazard weeks before the shooting. Staff members were not the best trained. They were allegedly shooting live ammunition at paint cans in-between sets. Live ammo was mixed with, or directly next to blank ammo. Gutierrez-Reed requested a cart to carry around all of the heavy weapons because she could not do it on her own and apparently, she didn’t have the appropriate equipment. Prosecutors believe this tragedy could have been avoided and they point to the two individuals charged with involuntary manslaughter as the reasons why it was not.
SOURCES:
Alec Baldwin Will Be Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter in ‘Rust’ Killing – The New York Times
Alec Baldwin Involuntary Manslaughter Charge Explained
Alec Baldwin, weapons handler to be charged in ‘Rust’ shooting – Los Angeles Times
Alec Baldwin to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in ‘Rust’ film shooting – ABC News
Alec Baldwin and armorer to be charged with involuntary manslaughter after fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’ | CNN
‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed ‘did not commit involuntary manslaughter’: attorney
Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Speaks Out About Charges
