After criminal charges against Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin connected to a fatal shooting on the set of the movie “Rust” – resulting in the death of the film’s cinematographer and the wounding of its director – were dropped, reports indicate that charges against the Hollywood actor could potentially be reinstated following the release of a new bombshell analysis of the firearm in question.
On October 21, 2021, Baldwin, 65, was filming on the set of the western movie “Rust” in Santa Fe, New Mexico when he discharged a Colt .45 revolver being used as a prop – that had somehow been loaded with a real bullet – killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injuring director Joel Souza, 48.
After an investigation, Baldwin was charged by New Mexico prosecutors with involuntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter in commission of a lawful act; an additional enhancement charge relating to an individual “brandishing” a firearm was also included, but later dropped.
Baldwin had always maintained his innocence and had pleaded not guilty to the charges, all of which were ultimately dropped in April; if convicted, Baldwin could have faced up to 18 months in prison.
However, Baldwin might not be out of the woods just yet. This week, Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona stated that his team's examination of the revolver used in the shooting – as well as the spent cartridge – revealed that the trigger had indeed been pulled at the time of the discharge, despite Baldwin's repeated claims that he had never done so.
“Although Alec Baldwin repeatedly denies pulling the trigger, given the tests, findings and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,” the report says. “This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger."
Based on this news, New Mexico special prosecutor Kari Morrissey has noted that an official announcement as to whether or not her office will pursue renewed charged against Baldwin will be coming at an undetermined time in the near future.
In addition to the legal turmoil facing Baldwin, the armorer of “Rust,” Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, had also been charged with involuntary manslaughter – a felony – over the death of Hutchins, and assistant director David Halls – who reportedly handed the loaded gun to Baldwin – accepted a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge.