The day we knew was imminent has arrived. On January 19, 2023, New Mexico District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies announced that she would file charges against actor and producer Alec Baldwin. On January 31, 2023, she made good on those promises and formally charged Baldwin with the involuntary manslaughter of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Hutchins was killed on the set of the film Rust on October 21, 2021. A Colt .45 Baldwin was holding fired and shot her and director Joel Souza. Baldwin maintains his innocence and claims he did not fire the gun. FBI investigations concluded the gun was functioning normally.
The prosecution claims that if Baldwin had followed proper safety procedures and protocols, Hutchins would still be alive today. She leaves behind a husband and son. Special Investigator Robert Shilling broke down what happened that fateful day. “Baldwin drew the revolver from the holster, pointed it at Halyna Hutchins, and fired the weapon,” he said.
According to the prosecution, Baldwin is also to blame because of his role as a producer on the film. It was his responsibility to manage the production’s safety. One of the things that was mismanaged was the hiring of the “inexperienced and unqualified” Hannah Gutierrez-Reed as the production’s armorer. Gutierrez-Reed also faces charges, and if convicted, she and Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison with the potential for a five-year enhancement because of the use of a firearm.
“The evidence and statements documented in this affidavit confirm many instances of extremely reckless acts or reckless failures to act by Baldwin in a 10-day period,” Shilling goes on to say. “Baldwin’s deviation from known standards, practice and protocol directly caused the fatal death of Hutchins.”
Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas disagrees. “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. We will fight these charges and we will win,” he said.
To learn more about this ongoing case, watch this video.
