Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charges over the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’ are set to be dropped, according to Deadline. The incident occurred in October 2021, when a prop gun Baldwin was holding went off and hit the cinematographer, Hutchins. Baldwin has denied firing the gun, and the charges against him are expected to be dropped soon.
Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro expressed their satisfaction with the decision to dismiss the case against their client, adding that they hope for a proper investigation into the incident. The Santa Fe District Attorney’s office, however, declined to comment on the situation when approached by Deadline.
Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutteriez-Reed were set to face a two-week preliminary hearing in May. However, Baldwin has obtained a waiver and will not have to appear in person. The director of ‘Rust,’ Joel Souza, was also injured in the shooting, but no charges were filed in relation to his injuries.
Prosecutors had initially argued that photos and videos showed Baldwin with his finger inside the trigger guard and on the trigger multiple times before the shooting. Baldwin had pleaded not guilty in February to the accidental killing of Halyna. The actor was originally facing up to five years in prison, which was later reduced to 18 months.
The incident on the set of ‘Rust’ was a tragic and sobering reminder of the dangers of handling firearms, even if they are props. While the charges against Alec Baldwin are set to be dropped, it is important that a proper investigation is conducted to determine the cause of the incident and to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. The film industry must prioritize the safety of its cast and crew above all else to prevent further tragedies like this.