Alec Baldwin faces new involuntary manslaughter charge in ‘Rust’ shooting incident

A New Mexico grand jury has brought an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in connection with the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021. This development resurrects the legal case against the actor and producer.

Baldwin, 65, was indicted after special prosecutors Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis presented the case to a Santa Fe grand jury. His defense attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, have stated, “We look forward to our day in court.”

This indictment comes after Baldwin was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 and had pleaded not guilty. The charges were later dropped by Morrissey and Lewis, who cited the discovery of new facts requiring further investigation.

In October, the special prosecutors announced that additional evidence had surfaced, leading them to believe that Baldwin may have criminal culpability in the death of Hutchins and the shooting of the film’s director, Joel Souza. They intended to present the case to a grand jury for further assessment.

Hutchins tragically lost her life, and Souza was injured, on the set of “Rust” when a gun being handled by Baldwin discharged. Despite his claim that he did not pull the trigger and had been told the gun was not loaded, forensic analysis suggests that the weapon was fired intentionally.

The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, also faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. Her trial is scheduled to commence in the coming months.

“Rust,” a Western film set in 1880s Kansas, has garnered significant attention due to the tragic shooting incident. The case has renewed discussions about safety precautions on film sets and the accountability of those involved in handling firearms during production.

For more movie news, sign up for Entertainment Weekly’s free newsletter to receive the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Read More Entertainment News