Alec Baldwin Actually Being Charged In Rust Shooting? New Development Adds Unexpected Twist
According to Variety, Alec Baldwin isn’t fully cleared for the Rust shooting incident that took place in 2021. He faced involuntary manslaughter charges for discharging a prop gun during a rehearsal for the film at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico, that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. The film community was stunned by the incident, and authorities swiftly embarked on an investigation to understand the specifics of the tragedy.
Charges against Alec Baldwin over the on-set Rust shooting were dropped, but the prosecutor is still investigating, and there’s a chance the star could be charged again.
Preliminary findings revealed that the prop gun used by Alec Baldwin had a live round, leading to his manslaughter charge after Hutchins’ death resulted from its discharge. The charge was later dropped in April 2023 due to doubts about the gun’s modifications and function. However, special prosecutors from New Mexico’s First Judicial District indicated shortly after a need for more investigation and forensic analysis.
A recent forensic report was presented to prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis and made public on Tuesday. They had earlier stated that Alec Baldwin might face charges again if the gun was proven functional. No charges have been pressed, and a final decision remains undisclosed.
Alec Baldwin continues to deny that he pulled the trigger on the Colt. 45 that resulted in Hutchins’ death. Furthermore, he maintains he had been informed that the gun is cold – an industry term indicating that the weapon is safe and does not contain live ammunition. However, after reconstructing the gun damaged during an FBI test, experts determined that it could only discharge with a trigger pull.
Alec Baldwin continues to deny that he pulled the trigger on the Colt. 45 that resulted in Hutchins’ death.
For now, Alec Baldwin has been cleared of charges and has not faced renewed charges. However, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer for Rust, will be tried in December for involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. Through her lawyers, she asserts that Seth Kenney, a weapons supplier, mistakenly mixed live rounds with dummy bullets.
Besides the fatal bullet, five live rounds were discovered on the set of Rust. Tasked with tracing their origins, forensic experts delved deeply into the evidence and undertook a thorough analysis. Despite their meticulous examination, the most significant revelation was that these particular bullets were distinct and not consistent with those seized from Kenney in the weeks following the unfortunate shooting event.
How The Rust Shooting Has Changed Hollywood
Beyond the immediate legal and personal implications for Alec Baldwin and others involved, the Rust shooting had a profound impact on Hollywood’s practices. The incident rekindled discussions about on-set safety standards, the use of firearms on set, and the need for rigorous checks and balances to prevent such tragedies in the future. Many industry professionals called for a total ban on real firearms on sets, advocating for the use of digital effects or non-functional replicas.
The Rust movie shooting involving Alec Baldwin is a somber reminder of the real dangers that can lurk behind the scenes of movie magic. While films might whisk audiences away, the people creating these worlds are real, with real risks involved in their work. The incident has undoubtedly served as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of prioritizing safety above all else, even in an industry known for its glitz and glamour.
