‘Rust’ settlement approved in wrongful death lawsuit against Alec Baldwin
A judge has approved a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who died after being shot on the set of the movie “Rust” in October 2021. Alec Baldwin was holding the gun that fired. The litigation was filed in February 2022 by Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, and their son, Andros, against Baldwin and others responsible for safety on the set, alleging “reckless behavior and cost-cutting” resulting in Hutchins’ death. The order was entered on May 26, 2022, but details about the settlement have not been disclosed. The parties had announced a settlement pending court approval in October 2021. Filming on “Rust” resumed in April and was completed on May 22, according to Baldwin.
Hutchins, 42, was rushed in a helicopter to a hospital in Albuquerque, 65 miles away, but died. Director Joel Souza, 48, was also hit but survived. In August, Hutchins’ death was ruled an accident by New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator. The revolver that fired should have been loaded with dummy rounds but had a real .45-caliber bullet inside that passed through Hutchins’ stomach before striking Souza in the shoulder.
Baldwin claimed in a December 2021 interview with George Stephanopoulos that he did not pull the trigger. The FBI report, however, found that the revolver could not have fired without someone doing so. In November 2021, Baldwin had canceled his Twitter account after receiving criticism following the shooting.
Special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis dropped Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charges in April 2022, citing “new facts” that required further investigation. The case has been closed but Baldwin could face charges in the future.
FAQs:
What was Halyna Hutchins’ age?
Halyna Hutchins was 42 years old.
What was the reason for the lawsuit?
The family of Halyna Hutchins filed a wrongful death lawsuit citing “reckless behavior and cost-cutting” that led to her death.
Who was responsible for safety on the set?
Alec Baldwin and others responsible for safety on the set were named in the lawsuit.
What happened to Alec Baldwin’s Twitter account?
Baldwin canceled his Twitter account in November 2021 after receiving criticism following the shooting.
What were Baldwin’s charges?
Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges related to the shooting, which were dropped in April 2022.
Alec Baldwin’s wrongful death lawsuit results in approval of settlement for ‘Rust’ production.
A judge has approved a wrongful death lawsuit related to the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie “Rust” in October 2021. Alec Baldwin was holding a gun that fired, leading to Hutchins’ death. The order was entered on Thursday, but details about the settlement were not disclosed. Hutchins’ widowed husband had previously announced that the parties had settled the suit, pending court approval. The suit was filed in February 2022 on behalf of Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, and their son, Andros, against Baldwin and others responsible for the safety on the set. It alleged reckless behavior and cost-cutting that led to the death of Hutchins. The gun, although a movie prop, was loaded with a real .45-caliber bullet instead of a dummy round, which should have been the case, according to Hollywood protocols. It passed through Hutchins’ stomach and hit director Joel Souza in the shoulder. Hutchins died after being rushed to a hospital 65 miles away. Souza survived. In August, New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator ruled Hutchins’ death an accident. Baldwin claimed he did not pull the trigger when he aimed an antique six-shooter at Hutchins, but an FBI report contradicted this assertion, stating that the gun could not have been fired without someone pulling the trigger. Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter charges associated with the shooting were dropped last month, but the case is not closed, and he may still face charges. Filming resumed on “Rust” in April and was completed by May 22.