New Mexico prosecutors have charged actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in the accidental shooting death of aspiring cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
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The charge comes more than a year after Baldwin, pictured with his wife, Hilaria, pointed a prop gun at Hutchins and shot her in the chest on the set of his movie Rust on Oct. 21, 2021.
Prosecutors said they are in the process of filing other felony criminal charges against the troubled actor and weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who loaded the gun with live bullets.
Investigators said assistant director, David Halls, handed the loaded Colt .45 revolver to Baldwin before a rehearsal at Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular movie location near Santa Fe, N.M.
Halls reached a plea deal to accept a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Detectives found live rounds mingled among the blank bullets on the set. Live rounds are forbidden on film sets in Hollywood.
Hutchins’ family and friends wondered if anyone would be held accountable for her death.
An attorney representing Hutchins’ family welcomed the news of Baldwin’s criminal charge.
“It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law,” said attorney Brian J. Panish. “We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law.”
