Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter over 'Rust' shooting
The actor faces criminal charges over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while filming 'Rust.'
Alec Baldwin was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was the armorer on the film "Rust," was also charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Alec Baldwin's attorney called the charges a "terrible miscarriage of justice" in a statement to Fox News Digital.
"This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice," Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel said. "Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set. He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."
Hutchins' family thanked the sheriff's office and the DA after the charges were announced.
"We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life," read a statement issued on behalf of the Hutchins family via attorney Brian J. Panish, founding partner of Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP.
Alec Baldwin is facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. (Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images for National Geographic | Mat Hayward/Getty Images for AMC Networks)
On Oct. 21, 2021, Baldwin allegedly shot and killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on the set of their movie "Rust."
The 63-year-old was rehearsing a scene on the New Mexico set when the gun fired, hitting the two individuals. The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating the incident.
Here's a moment-by-moment breakdown of what happened based on search warrants, affidavits and 911 calls.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021
The crew and cast are filming the Western period drama at Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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6:30 a.m
A typical morning starts with breakfast but that day, the set was running behind schedule. Several of the camera crew walked off the job after days of arguing with the production company over lodging accommodations and working hours. The Los Angeles Times previously reported that Hutchins was involved in the disputes and did her best to resolve them before camera operators ultimately had enough and collected their personal equipment the morning of the shooting.
This aerial photo shows the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on Oct. 21, 2021. (AP/Getty Images)
According to Souza, who said in an affidavit to police, by midday Baldwin and other cast/crew members were rehearsing a scene inside the old church on the property.
Around Noon
The crew and cast break for lunch and then return to the set. Souza said in the warrant that the cast and crew prepared the scene before lunch and then had their meal away from the shooting location around 12:30 p.m.
Around 1:50 p.m.
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A press release from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department said deputies were dispatched to the set around 1:50 p.m. local time, and the call indicated that an individual had been shot.
Souza told deputies he was watching the scene through monitors when he heard "what sounded like a whip and then a loud pop." He saw Hutchins stumble backward and clutch her stomach. Souza was standing next to her. She "was assisted to the ground" by other crew members and camera operator Reid Russell recalls Hutchins saying she could not feel her legs.
Alec Baldwin's attorney called the charges against Baldwin a "terrible miscarriage of justice," in a statement to Fox News Digital. (Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican)
According to a search warrant executed by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, obtained by Fox News, Baldwin and the crew were setting up a shot that required Baldwin to cross-draw a revolver and point the weapon at the camera. However, thanks to a shadow that was coming into the church structure from light outside, the camera had to be adjusted to a different angle.
Baldwin was working with the director and the cinematographer demonstrating how he was going to draw his revolver from its holster and where his arm would be for the new shot. While demonstrating, the firearm went off.
Alec Baldwin shown on the "Rust" movie set in this photo released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. (Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office)
According to the Los Angeles Times, Hutchins' last words were: "That was no good. That was no good at all."
Baldwin, meanwhile, was reportedly shocked after the gun went off and continued to repeat the phrase "What the f--- just happened?"
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The 911 call was made by the film's script supervisor. She told the dispatcher, "Two people have been accidentally shot on a movie set by a prop gun. We need help immediately," per the 911 call obtained by Fox News. "A director and a camerawoman have been shot."
Director Joel Souza was wounded during the shooting on the "Rust" movie set. (Jim Spellman/Getty Images)
According to a media release, Hutchins, 42, was transported via helicopter to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, where she later died.
Souza, 48, was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.
Later that day
Souza said three people were handling the gun for the scene. Armorer Hanna Gutierrez-Reed reportedly handled prop guns left on a cart outside the structure where they were shooting in due to coronavirus restrictions. Assistant director Dave Halls handed one of those guns to Baldwin. According to a Santa Fe court, Halls announced that it was a "cold gun" before giving it to the actor, lingo meaning that the firearm was unloaded. As a result, Baldwin and the two people who were wounded believed the firearm was safe to use in the staging of the scene. Both the director and Russell noted that cameras were not rolling at the time as they were still setting up the shots.
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Souza was not sure if the gun was checked again when everyone returned from lunch. However, he stated that firearms are supposed to be checked by the armorer, followed by the assistant director, before handing them to the actor. Souza said he was not sure if people were checked for live ammunition on their person, but stated that live ammunition should not have been anywhere near the scene.
Fox News' Tyler McCarthy contributed to this report.
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