In Santa Fe, a movie weapons armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” Gutierrez-Reed was found to have been reckless in her handling of firearms on set, bringing live ammunition despite it being prohibited and failing to follow basic gun safety protocols. The focus has now shifted to the prosecution of Alec Baldwin, who was holding the gun that went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza during a rehearsal.
Prosecutors highlighted a cascade of safety violations on the movie set that started with Gutierrez-Reed. Despite her claims of trying her best with inadequate time, resources, and staffing, the judge found her lack of remorse and recklessness warranted the maximum sentence. Gutierrez-Reed was responsible for loading the weapon with dummies and a live round without checking what she was loading. The sentencing hearing included statements from friends and family of Hutchins, who described her as courageous, tenacious, and compassionate. Ukrainian relatives of Hutchins are seeking damages from Baldwin in connection with the shooting.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer of “Rust,” had an earlier involuntary manslaughter charge dismissed after claims that the gun may have been modified before the shooting. However, a new analysis opened the case for a grand jury indictment against Baldwin for the same charge. The indictment alleges Baldwin caused Hutchins’ death through negligence or total disregard for safety. If convicted, the charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to 18 months. Defense attorneys for Baldwin have accused prosecutors of unfair proceedings and diverting attention from exculpatory evidence.
Gutierrez-Reed plans to appeal the judge’s judgment and sentence against her, as she believes there were multiple system failures by multiple people on set. While acquitted of an evidence tampering charge, Gutierrez-Reed faces another felony charge in separate proceedings for allegedly bringing a gun into a bar in downtown Santa Fe. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey reviewed phone calls made by Gutierrez-Reed from jail, expressing disappointment in the lack of responsibility or genuine remorse for Hutchins’ death. The trial for Baldwin is set for July, with the prosecution emphasizing his contradictions in statements to law enforcement and workplace safety regulators.
The film “Rust” moved production to Montana after the tragedy under an agreement with Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, who became an executive producer. The case has sparked conversations around safety protocols on movie sets and accountability for all involved in handling firearms. The outcome of Baldwin’s trial will play a significant role in determining the consequences and precedent set for such incidents in the film industry. As the legal proceedings continue, the families of both Hutchins and Gutierrez-Reed wait for justice to be served and lessons to be learned from the tragic events that unfolded on the set of “Rust.”
