Fatal shooting of camerawoman: Baldwin’s lawyers: proceedings are dropped

Fatal shots on camerawoman
Baldwin’s attorneys: Case dismissed

04/20/2023, 10:20 p.m

The charges against Hollywood star Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting on the film set are to be dropped. This is what his lawyers say. An official confirmation from the public prosecutor’s office is still pending.

The criminal case against Hollywood star Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting of a camerawoman during a western shoot is to be dropped. “We are pleased with the decision to drop Alec Baldwin’s case,” said Baldwin’s attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro. “We encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.”

Baldwin accidentally shot and killed 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a revolver during a rehearsal for low-budget western Rust in October 2021. The Colt .45 was loaded with a real bullet, but it is still unclear how this could have happened. Baldwin was subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, he could have faced up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Baldwin, known for films such as ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and ‘The Temptation of Blondes’ and the series ’30 Rock’, has denied any responsibility for Hutchins’ death. He claims he had no way of knowing there was live ammunition in the Colt. The US actor, who is one of the producers of “Rust”, had previously been given the gun with the words that it was “cold” – i.e. not loaded with live ammunition.

The production company Rust Movie Productions only announced on Tuesday that filming should resume later in the week. The “Rust” producers had already announced in February that shooting for the low-budget western would continue in the spring. Hutchins’ widower Matthew Hutchins will be involved as a producer. That was part of an out-of-court settlement last February, in exchange for which Matthew Hutchins withdrew his civil suit.