In a recent development, prosecutors have alleged that Alec Baldwin displayed a careless and reckless attitude towards firearms on the set of "Rust," leading up to the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, as reported by American Military News.
Court documents procured by ETonline have revealed that the 66-year-old actor engaged in what has been described as "horseplay" during firearm training. This included an instance where Baldwin fired a blank round at a crew member to establish his line of sight. Prosecutors have further claimed that Baldwin's behavior on set was "erratic and aggressive," raising safety concerns among the crew.
The allegations against Baldwin also include his use of the prop firearm as a pointer during filming, using it to direct and acknowledge different people on set. The prosecutors, in their latest filing, accused Baldwin of discharging the weapon at least once, even after the director had called "cut."
The fatal incident occurred on October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Baldwin, seated in a church pew, was practicing a move involving drawing a pistol from its holster when the firearm unexpectedly discharged. The film's director, Joel Souza, was also injured in the incident, suffering a shoulder wound.
Earlier this year, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on "Rust," was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins' death and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Baldwin, who has consistently denied pulling the trigger, is set to stand trial on July 9 in Santa Fe, where he will also face a manslaughter charge.
Prosecutors have further alleged that Baldwin, who also served as a producer on "Rust," frequently disregarded Gutierrez-Reed's instructions and often hurried the cast and crew to stay on schedule. Furthermore, when filming resumed in Montana following the fatal incident, Baldwin reportedly insisted on not adhering to industry safety standards.
The Emmy-winning actor could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures and responsible behavior, particularly when dealing with potentially dangerous props such as firearms on film sets.
Login