AN ACCIDENT took place on the Rust movie set and resulted in a cinematographer's death.
Famed actor Alec Baldwin has since been charged in connection to Halyna Hutchins' tragic death.
What was Alec Baldwin charged with?
On January 19, 2023, it was reported that Baldwin would be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in relation to Hutchins' death.
Following the announcement, Baldwin's lawyer, Luke Nikas, stated: "This decision distorts Halyna Hutchins’ tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice.
"Mr Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun, or anywhere on the movie set.
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"He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."
On April 20, 2023, it was announced that the charges against Baldwin would be dropped, however, in January 2024, a grand jury returned an indictment, and Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter for a second time.
"We look forward to our day in court," Baldwin's attorneys said in a statement.
The actor pleaded not guilty to the charges on January 31, according to Fox News.
If convicted, he could face up to 18 months in prison, the outlet notes.
Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to Hutchins' death.
She pled not guilty in August 2023 and is set to stand trial in February 2024, according to NBC News.
What happened on the set of Rust?
On October 21, 2021, an accidental shooting transpired on the set of Joel Souza's Western film, Rust.
While rehearsing scenes for the movie, Baldwin unintentionally shot Souza and the project's cinematographer with a prop gun supplied by armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed.
Souza survived the ordeal, but Hutchins was pronounced dead.
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Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed denied knowing the prop weapon was loaded during rehearsal.
The incident caused Rust's production to be temporarily halted.
Regarding the tragedy, Baldwin took to Twitter and said: "There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother, and deeply admired colleague of ours.
"I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family.
"My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna."
