Alec Baldwin will not face an involuntary manslaughter prosecution in the 2021 shooting death of a cameraman on the set of the Western film “Rust,” according to Baldwin’s counsel.
“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin, and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” Baldwin’s lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, said.
In connection with the incident, Baldwin and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who oversaw the firearms for the movie, were both charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The prosecution declined to comment on the matter right away. It wasn’t immediately apparent if further charges may be brought or if Gutierrez-Reed would also be acquitted of the offense.
During a practice, as Baldwin aimed a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the gun went off, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has claimed that he did not pull the trigger and that the pistol was fired accidentally. According to a forensic analysis by the FBI, the firearm could not have been discharged without the trigger being pushed.
Baldwin’s defense had already been weakening. The original special prosecutor assigned to the case retired, and a weapons allegation that would have resulted in a far heavier sentence had already been dropped.
The accusations against Baldwin had marked a stunning fall for an A-list actor whose 40-year career included the early blockbuster “The Hunt for Red October” and a starring role in the sitcom “30 Rock,” as well as iconic appearances in Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” and a film adaptation of David Mamet’s “Glengary Glen Ross.”
In recent years, he was known for his impression of former President Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live.”
The 65-year-old hasn’t worked much since the shooting but hasn’t exactly disappeared. He continued to be active on social media, sending films to Instagram and photos of his wife and their seven kids.
David Halls, the “Rust” safety coordinator and assistant director, entered a no-contest plea in March to a conviction for reckless weapon use.
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