There's breaking news in the case of the Rust shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Alec Baldwin, the producer and star of the film, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 incident.
This week, Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and Special Prosecutor Andrea Reeb announced that Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will both be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The charges are to be formally filed by the end of the month. In the state of New Mexico, involuntary manslaughter is punishable by 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine, according to a press release.
While Baldwin seems to have done everything in his power to avoid such charges, that is not how the case is playing out.
Joel Souza, the director of the film, was also shot when the gun discharged, but he survived. No charges will be filed in relation to his injuries.
"After a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico, I have determined that there is sufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Alec Baldwin and other members of the Rust film crew," Carmack-Altwies said in a statement. "On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice."
"If any one of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today," the statement continued.
"It's that simple. The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the Rust film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don't take our state's commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously."
Baldwin's attorney Luke Nikas said they will fight the charges. "This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice. 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," added Nikas.
