LI-Native Alec Baldwin Faces Involuntary Manslaughter Charges In 'Rust' Shooting

SANTA FE, NM — Massapequa native Alec Baldwin faces involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie "Rust" in 2021.

Baldwin, who was also a producer of the film, as well as armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for Hutchins' death. The charges will be filed by the end of the month, according to New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies.

“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. “On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice.”

The shooting happened on a New Mexico ranch in 2021, where Baldwin was filming the western "Rust." He fired his gun during a rehearsal. Instead of a blank, it was loaded with a live bullet, which hit Hutchins in the chest and then struck director Joel Souza in the shoulder.

Souza survived the gunshot, and no one has been charged in his injury.

Months later, the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau fined the production company of "Rust" $136,793 — the maximum under state law — for "the plain indifference to the recognized hazards associated with the use of firearms on set that resulted in a fatality, severe injury, and unsafe working conditions."

In the investigation of the shooting, the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department said it recovered 500 rounds of ammunition from the set, which included some live rounds. Sheriff Adan Mendoza said there was "some complacency" on the set.

In addition to the charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed, officials say Assistant Director David Halls signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The terms include a suspended sentence and six months of probation.

Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed will be “charged in the alternative,” meaning that a jury would decide not simply if they were guilty, but under which definition of involuntary manslaughter they were guilty.

The first charge is simply as involuntary manslaughter. For this charge to be proved, there must be underlying negligence. Under New Mexico law, involuntary manslaughter is a fourth-degree felony and is punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The other charge is involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act. This charge requires proof that there was more than simple negligence involved in a death. This is also a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in jail and up to a $5000 fine. This charge includes a firearm enhancement because a gun was involved. The firearm enhancement makes the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in jail.

“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. It’s that simple,” said Andrea Reeb, a special prosecutor appointed by DA Carmack-Altwies to the case. “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.”