Charges Dropped Against Alec Baldwin in Fatal ‘Rust’ Movie Shooting

Criminal charges against Alec Baldwin stemming from the fatal on-set Rust movie shooting have been dropped, the actor’s attorneys said Thursday.

“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,” attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a joint statement obtained by NBC News.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was killed when a bullet discharged from a prop gun held by Baldwin on the New Mexico set of the Western in October 2021. The bullet also struck and injured director Joel Souza.

Related Story: Alec Baldwin Expresses ‘Shock and Sadness’ Over Film Set Shooting Death of Cinematographer

There was no immediate comment from the Santa Fe district attorney’s office.

Baldwin, 65, and the film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 25, were both charged with involuntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act in connection with the shooting.

Both pleaded not guilty in the case.

Gutierrez-Reed still faces charges, her attorney told ABC News Thursday. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 3.

“The truth about what happened will come out and the questions that we have long sought answers for will be answered,” her attorneys, Jason Bowles and Todd Bullion, said in the statement.

Baldwin is a producer on the film. Since the shooting occurred, he has maintained he was told the gun was “cold,” and had no live rounds inside.

The actor has also said he pulled back the hammer on the gun, but he didn’t pulled the trigger.

Attorneys for Gutierrez-Reed have also denied she did anything wrong, and suggested others on set were to blame.

Assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon in exchange for a suspended sentence and six months probation in the case.

A special prosecutor brought in to handle the case stepped down after Baldwin’s attorneys filed a motion objecting to her serving both as a prosecutor and as a state legislator in the New Mexico House of Representatives, saying she cannot simultaneously exercise legislative and judicial power.

Filming on Rust was halted following the shooting, but has since resumed.