New Mexico Cites ‘Rust’ Movie Production For ‘Willful’ Disregard of Firearms Safety

The Bonanza Creek Ranch, where the film "Rust" was being filmed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Oct. 23, 2021. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

The State of New Mexico announced on April 20 a nearly $140,000 fine against a movie company responsible for the low-budget “Rust” production following a months-long investigation into last year’s shooting death on set.

The New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau determined the production did not follow industry standards for firearms safety.

The civil penalty is the highest-level citation and the largest fine allowable under state law.

“Our investigation found that this tragic incident never would have happened if Rust Movie Productions, LLC had followed national film industry standards for firearm safety,” said Environment Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “This is a complete failure of the employer to follow recognized national protocols that keep employees safe.”

There were several management failures and more than sufficient evidence to suggest that if standard industry practices were followed, the fatal shooting and serious injury would not have occurred, Kenney said in a video statement.

The company also demonstrated “plain indifference” to employee safety by failing to review work practices and take corrective action, according to a department statement.

The report concludes that Rust Movie Productions, LLC management knew that firearm safety procedures were not being followed on set and demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety by failing to review work practices and take corrective action, the report stated.

Actor and Producer Alec Baldwin was filming a scene Oct. 21 on the set at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, when he discharged a gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Director Joel Souza was also wounded by the live bullet from Baldwin’s firearm.

A criminal investigation continues into the shooting, a Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department spokesman told The Epoch Times.

“It remains an open investigation,” said sheriff’s spokesman Juan Rios.

Sheriff’s investigators are reviewing “voluminous” information received from the cell phone Baldwin, 63, released to authorities. The actor turned the phone over to authorities in January after sheriff’s investigators issued a search warrant.

“It’s received but it’s under review,” Rios said. “It’s quite voluminous.”

The sheriff’s department expects to release more information about the investigation in about 10 days, he said.

“One of the last things we’re waiting for at this point is the results of the testing that was going to be conducted by the FBI on ballistics and on the firearm,” Rios said. “We have not received that yet.”

A spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions, LLC was not immediately available for comment.