New court documents allege that Alec Baldwin fired a blank bullet at a crew member while filming “Rust,” according to prosecutors.
According to new court documents, Alec Baldwin allegedly discharged a blank round towards a crew member while filming “Rust,” with prosecutors accusing him of reckless firearm handling.
In the case of involuntary manslaughter against the “30 Rock” star in New Mexico, prosecutors intend to present evidence during his trial, scheduled to commence on July 9. They claim Baldwin consistently disregarded safety protocols on set, which they argue directly contributed to the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins in 2021.
Prosecutors highlighted an incident where Baldwin, aged 66, allegedly pointed and fired a blank round towards a crew member. They also cited multiple instances from October 12, 2021, until the shooting, including using his gun improperly, firing it after filming ended, and not properly handling it during scenes. They also alleged Baldwin pressured armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed to reload his gun faster and engaged in personal activities like FaceTime calls and video-making during firearm training.
Even before filming began, Baldwin, a producer and lead actor, reportedly requested the largest available gun. Prosecutors claimed to possess photos and videos showing Baldwin behaving carelessly on set, which they plan to present as evidence.
According to the court papers, these actions demonstrate Baldwin’s alleged disregard for safety and contradict his claims that the shooting was accidental. Baldwin has entered a plea of not guilty and could face up to 1.5 years in prison if convicted.
In a related development, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, aged 26, received an 18-month prison sentence in April following her conviction on charges similar to those now faced by Baldwin.