Alec Baldwin charges dropped in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting
Alec Baldwin will no longer face manslaughter charges in a shooting on the set of "Rust" which led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, his attorneys said Thursday.
"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," Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement.
This comes hours after it was announced filming could resume this week in Montana.
RELATED: 'Rust' movie reboots after Alec Baldwin shooting
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alec Baldwin charged in involuntary manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter charges were filed Tuesday in New Mexico against actor/producer Alec Baldwin and the armorer on the film "Rust" stemming from the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. Entertainment lawyer Mitra Ahouraian spoke to FOX 11 Special Report following the chargers being filed.
(Getty Images)
Baldwin and the film’s weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the charge against Gutierrez-Reed would also be dropped.
Baldwin was pointing a pistol at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when the gun when off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has said the gun went off accidentally and that he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Alec Baldwin, armorer charged in deadly ‘Rust’ shooting
- Alec Baldwin scores win in 'Rust' fatal shooting case as DA drops firearm enhancement
- Alec Baldwin settles lawsuit with family of cinematographer killed on 'Rust' set
- 'Rust' shooting: Police release videos in probe of Alec Baldwin-produced film
"Rust" safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest in March to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation.
If Baldwin had been convicted of the involuntary manslaughter and firearms enhancement charges, the "30 Rock" actor would have faced a mandatory five years in jail.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.