Attorneys: Charges dropped against Alec Baldwin in ‘Rust’ shooting
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SANTA FE, N.M. — Alec Baldwin no longer faces charges in the case surrounding the deadly “Rust” movie set shooting, his attorneys said Thursday.
Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges. In October 2021, he held the gun that shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.
In January, the Santa Fe district attorney filed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin. The charges included a felony firearm enhancement that carried a possible five years in prison if convicted.
However, the district attorney dropped the enhancement charge a month later. Now, two months later, Baldwin’s attorneys indicate he no longer faces any charges in the case.
Baldwin’s attorneys issued this statement Thursday:
Alec Baldwin no longer faces charges in the case surrounding the deadly "Rust" movie set shooting, 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.”
“Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed still faces involuntary manslaughter charges.
Last month, a judge accepted assistant director Dave Halls’s plea deal. Subsequently, the judge sentenced Halls to six months of unsupervised probation, a $500 fine and 24 hours of community service.
The latest move from the prosecution doesn’t mean Baldwin is in the clear. The charges were dropped but it is possible for them to file other charges in the future.
Special prosecutors in the ‘Rust’ shooting case shared the following statement Thursday evening:
“Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander “Alec” Rae Baldwin, III. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the
involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation.
This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.
Charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged. No further statements will be made at this time.”
A person with close knowledge of this case told KOB 4 the special prosecutors decided to drop the charges against Baldwin because new evidence has emerged, suggesting the gun was modified before it was brought to set.