‘There’s nothing we can do to bring his mother back’: Alec Baldwin on Rust movie shooting
Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter over the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the movie set of Rust.
The actor is one of three cast and crew members facing charges over the accidental shooting, New Mexico prosecutors announced Thursday.
The first assistant director on Rust, David Halls, has agreed to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Meanwhile, the film’s armourer Hannah Gutierrez Reed has also been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Baldwin’s attorney responded to the news in a statement to The Independent, saying: “This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.”
Luke Nikas said they intend to “fight” the charges, and “win”.
The decision comes more than 15 months after the fatal shooting in October 2021, which occurred when a prop gun held by Baldwin discharged on set. A single bullet struck director Joel Souza in the shoulder before fatally striking Hutchins in the chest.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that he was told the gun was “cold”, meaning it had no live ammunition, and that he never pulled the trigger.
Read Matt Hutchins’s statement in full
The husband of Halyna Hutchins has reacted to news of the charges, stating that the charges are a “comfort to the family”.
Read his statement in full:
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 18:14
Attorneys for Rust amourer criticise the investigation as ‘very flawed’
The attorney of Hannah Gutierrez Reed has issued a statement responding to the charges, calling the investigation “very flawed”.
Reed – who will also be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the incident – was the armourer on Rust.
“Hannah is, and always has been, very emotional and sad about this tragic accident. But she did not commit involuntary manslaughter,” said Jason Bowles and Toff J Bullion.
Inga Parkel19 January 2023 18:12
Halyna Hutchins’s husband responds to charges
The husband of Halyna Hutchins has issued a statement in response to the charges.
Matt Hutchins thanked the DA for concluding their “thorough investigation and determining that chages for involuntary manslaughter are warranted”.
Hutchins said that their “independent investigation also supports charges are warranted”.
He said that it is a “comfort to the family” to know that ”no one is above the law”.
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 18:01
Everything Alec Baldwin has said about the shooting
Alec Baldwin’s attorney has said they intend to “fight these charges”.
Baldwin has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the shooting.
Inga Parkel19 January 2023 17:34
Eliza Hutton, fiancé of Brandon Lee who died on ‘The Crow’ set, previously spoke out about gun safety
In the aftermath of the 2021 shooting of Halyna Hutchins, Eliza Hutton – the fiancé of Brandon Lee – called for “alternatives to real guns on sets”.
Lee died in 1993 aged 28. The actor and son of the late action star Bruce Lee had been killed during the filming of The Crow after an actor fired a prop gun he believed to be loaded with blanks.
It was later discovered that a fragment of a dummy shell had been left in the gun’s barrel. Lee died in hospital following hours of surgery.
In October 2021, Hutton said: “I urge those in positions to make change to consider alternatives to real guns on sets.”
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 17:26
Bevan Hurley explains the intricacies of what makes ‘Rust’ a complicated case
The Independent’s Bevan Hurley explains the ins and outs of the complicated case in light of the charges announced today.
Alec Baldwin Set Shooting
(Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Nearly 15 months after the fatal shooting, investigators announced criminal charges over the on set fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Bevan Hurley explains the complicated case
Inga Parkel19 January 2023 17:15
Donald Trump Jr criticised for ‘hateful’ reaction to Alec Baldwin’s ‘Rust’ charges
Donald Trump Jr is among the first public figures to respond to the news.
The former US president’s son has been criticised for his “hateful” reaction to Alec Baldwin’s Rust charges.
“Maybe Alec Baldwin will be lucky enough to share a cell with Michael Avenatti,” Mr Trump Jr tweeted on Thursday (19 January) in response to the announcement.
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 17:10
Read the statement from Alec Baldwin’s attorney
In a statement given to The Independent, Luke Nikas refuted the charges.
The actor’s attorney said they intend to “fight these charges” and “win”. Read the statement in full here…
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 17:02
Alec Baldwin’s attorney says they will ‘fight’ the charges – ‘and win’
Alec Baldwin’s attorney has issued a statement in response to the charges.
Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel called the decision a “terrible miscarriage of justice”.
Nikas went on to say that Baldwin had “no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun” and that he relied on the professionals who assured him the gun did not have live rounds.
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 16:55
What does it mean to be charged with involuntary manslaughter?
Read our explanation on what today’s charges mean – and what the expected sentence for involuntary manslaughter is.
Annabel Nugent19 January 2023 16:49
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