Alec Baldwin to be charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting on film set

Prestigious actor Alec Baldwin will be prosecuted for the ‘accidental’ shooting on the set of his movie “Rust” where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died.

Prosecutors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, announced Thursday, January 19th, that Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter. The film’s lead gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will receive the same charge. Both could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

Deputy director Dave Halls, meanwhile, reached a plea deal on the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. He will get a suspended sentence and 6 months probation.

In announcing the charges, DA-appointed prosecutor Andrea Reeb explained:

You may also like:

“The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on Rust’s film set“.

“In New Mexico, there is no place for film sets that do not take seriously our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety“, the DA emphasized.

Baldwin has consistently denied wrongdoing and insists that what he did was to follow instructions. According to the actor’s statements, the accident occurred during a rehearsal in which he was practicing how to position the gun for a scene. Meanwhile, director Joel Souza and Halyna were figuring out camera angles.