Charges Against Alec Baldwin Dropped in Deadly ‘Rust’ Shooting, Lawyers Say

Actor Alec Baldwin attends the 2019 PEN America Literary Gala in New York, on May 21, 2019. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Lawyers for actor Alec Baldwin said Thursday that prosecutors dropped charges stemming from the fatal shooting of a cinematographer during the filming of “Rust” in October 2021.

“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” said a joint statement by Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro. They told a number of news outlets that prosecutors dropped the case against the longtime actor.

The Epoch Times has contacted New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, who brought charges against Baldwin in connection to the case, for comment. The DA’s office has not issued a public statement following Baldwin’s lawyers’ statement to news outlets on Thursday.

During filming of the western movie “Rust,” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed on Oct. 21, 2021. Baldwin was rehearsing a scene while using a pistol when the gun allegedly went off, he said in subsequent interviews with media outlets. Director Joel Souza was also injured in the incident.

Baldwin was charged with two counts of manslaughter in the death of Hutchins. “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed was also charged with involuntary manslaughter.

In the case—brought against the “30 Rock” star by prosecutors in January—Baldwin has pleaded not guilty. A lawyer for  Gutierrez Reed previously stated that she will enter a not guilty plea and has maintained her innocence.

Officials previously dropped a firearm enhancement charge against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed. Reports indicated that either defendant could have faced up to 18 months in prison if convicted.

It’s not clear if prosecutors are planning to drop charges against Gutierrez Reed.

Prosecutors alleged that Baldwin had negligently discharged a Colt .45 revolver during a scene at the Bonanza Creek Ranch set in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In interviews and in posts online, Baldwin has claimed that he did not pull the trigger and said he had no idea that the pistol may have contained a live round.

This aerial photo shows the movie set of "Rust" at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 23, 2021. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

During a controversial interview with ABC News weeks after the shooting, Baldwin maintained his innocence. “Well, the trigger wasn’t pulled, I didn’t pull the trigger,” Baldwin told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos at the time.

“So you didn’t pull the trigger?” Stephanopoulos responded.

“No, no, no. I would never point a gun at anyone and pull a trigger, never,” Baldwin said in response. “Someone put a live bullet in a gun. A bullet that wasn’t even supposed to be on the property,” he also said during that interview.

However, an FBI forensic report later found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled. Some gun experts also sounded the alarm on his claims, saying that he appeared to have violated one of the main firearms safety rules: Never point a firearm at another human being.

Responding to the shooting at the time, consultant Bryan Carpenter of Dark Thirty Film Services told the New York Post that “loaded or unloaded, a weapon never gets pointed at another human being.”

“You never let the muzzle of a weapon cover something you don’t intend to destroy,” he said. “All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.”

Dave Halls, the assistant director of “Rust,” pleaded no contest on March 31 to negligent handling of a weapon, a misdemeanor. He received six months of unsupervised probation as a sentence.

Filming for “Rust” could resume this week in Montana, the production company told The Associated Press Wednesday. Baldwin will continue his involvement as an actor and coproducer, and Rust Move Productions attorney Melina Spadone said via a representative that filming will restart Thursday at the Yellowstone Film Ranch.

Baldwin’s next court appearance was set for May 3. Court papers show that Baldwin waived his right to appear at the hearing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.