Manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin in Rust fatal shooting dropped

Filming of low-budget Western set to resume this week

Criminal charges filed against Alex Baldwin for the fatal Rust shooting of the film's cinematographer were set to be dropped, his lawyers said. Reuters

Criminal charges filed against actor Alec Baldwin over the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have been dropped, his lawyers said on 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,” Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said.

Baldwin and film armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter over the 2021 shooting.

The actor was pointing a firearm at Ms Hutchins during a rehearsal for the Western film when the gun discharged, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza.

Baldwin has maintained that he did not pull the trigger when the gun went off, although an FBI report disputed claims that the weapon could be fired if the trigger was not pulled.

He had pleaded not guilty in the case, while Ms Gutierrez-Reed said she intended to plead not guilty.

A weapons charge against Baldwin had already been dismissed.

David Halls, the film's assistant director, was sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation after accepting a plea deal for a misdemeanour charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Filming of Rust was set to continue this week, 18 months after Ms Hutchins's death.

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  Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP

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  A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP

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  The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

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  The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP

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  A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters

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  Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

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  Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP

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  Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP

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  Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

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  The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal

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  A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP

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  A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP

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  Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP

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  A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP

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  A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP

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  A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP

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  New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

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  Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters

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  Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

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  A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

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  People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

Agencies contributed to this report