In 2021, Alec Baldwin accidentally fired a gun, resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’; A murder case followed, which was dismissed in 2024 |

Alec Baldwin’s murder case following the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’ has opened up in one of the most complex legal matters in modern Hollywood history. Here’s a complete roundup of what happened on the set of ‘Rust,’ the death of Halyna Hutchins, the manslaughter cases that followed, and the official release of the film nearly four years later.

2021: Alec Baldwin shoots Halyna Hutchins on the set of ‘Rust’

The film’s production company had announced on October 6 that year that the production of ‘Rust’ would begin in Santa Fe soon. On October 21, crews were preparing the scene, and production was underway. CBS News reported that while rehearsing one of the film’s scenes inside a log cabin at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alec Baldwin drew Pietta’s .45 Colt revolver. The gun fired one live round, fatally wounding actress Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Assistant director Dave Halls handed Baldwin the gun after yelling “cold gun,” which is industry shorthand for an unloaded/safe weapon. The prop was originally supposed to have dummy rounds in it; However, the actor was given a living weapon.In November, a month later, the film’s script supervisor, Mamie Mitchell, filed a civil lawsuit accusing Baldwin of “playing Russian roulette” by pointing the gun at Hutchins. In December, Baldwin released his first statement to ABC News, saying that he did not know there was a live round in the gun, that he did not pull the gun, and that he did not think he would be criminally charged for the incident.

2022: The investigation continues

In January, the film’s prop manager, Hannah Gutierrez, filed another lawsuit alleging that the bullet boxes, provided by the prop supplier, did not indicate that the box contained both dummy and live bullets. Later, in August, an FBI forensic report concluded that the revolver would not have fired unless the trigger was pulled while the hammer was cocked.In February, Halyna’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, and producers Baldwin and Rust later reached a settlement with Halyna Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, who agreed to serve as executive producer of the film when production resumed. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office then completed its initial investigation and turned all evidence over to the First District Attorney without recommending any charges.This is also the time when Baldwin also filed a lawsuit alleging the negligence of several members of the film’s crew, which caused the incident to continue.

2023: Alec Baldwin pleads not guilty

Special prosecutors have formally charged Alec Baldwin and leading gunman Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Later, first assistant director Dave Halls did not call for the reckless use of a deadly weapon. He ended up getting about 6 months of probation and agreed to testify in future trials.In April, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis dismissed all criminal charges against Alec Baldwin without prejudice, saying new evidence showed the revolver had been tampered with, causing the hammer to slide without pulling the trigger. In May, filming for ‘Rust’ resumed in Montana and production wrapped.In June, Gutierrez was charged with tampering with evidence and alleged drug trafficking after his interview with police following the shooting; however, he later pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.

2024: Alec Baldwin cleared all charges

The Los Angeles Times reported that in January, forensics experts reconstructed the gun and concluded that the gun had been fired; a Santa Fe grand jury then re-indicted Alec Baldwin on charges of involuntary manslaughter. At that time, the actor pleaded not guilty. Hannah also pleaded guilty at the same time, when prosecutors found that she introduced live rounds on set and failed to follow basic safety rules.Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on April 15, 2024, and sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in prison. In July, Alec Baldwin’s trial began in Santa Fe, New Mexico, presided over by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer. During the trial, Alex Spiro, the defense attorney, presented the case that the police and prosecutors withheld evidence. This points to a box of live bullets sent to the sheriff’s office in March 2024 by a trooper (Troy Teske). The rounds are believed to be the same as the live bullet that killed Hutchin and were pointed at the supplier Seth Kenney, rather than the gunman or Baldwin. On July 12, in a court case published in court, the defense filed a motion to dismiss, saying that it was a serious violation of Brady, and the jury dismissed all charges against the actor.‘Rust’ officially hits theaters worldwide after all charges against Alec Baldwin are dropped in 2025. Over the years, Baldwin has continued to express remorse and remorse for everything that happened on the film’s sets.