Prosecutors investigating Alec Baldwin’s responsibility for a fatal on-set shooting in 2021 on Monday refrained from prosecuting the actor because of an aggravating circumstance against him.
• Also read: Deadly shoot on set: Alec Baldwin denies an aggravating circumstance
• Also read: Alec Baldwin is being sued by Halyna Hutchins’ family
• Also read: Alec Baldwin officially charged with manslaughter
On October 21, 2021, the shooting of the film “Rust” on a ranch in New Mexico, a state in the southwestern United States, turned tragic when Mr.
Baldwin fired a gun meant to contain only blanks, but a very real projectile killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injured director Joel Souza.
Alec Baldwin faces a manslaughter charge in New Mexico and faces an 18-month prison sentence, as does Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s gunsmith.
The 64-year-old actor was also targeted by an aggravating circumstance – for use of a firearm – that threatened him with five years behind bars.
However, this aggravating circumstance had been disputed by his attorneys on the grounds that it was based on a New Mexico law that was not in effect at the time of the tragedy. She was eventually abandoned by prosecutors “to avoid wasting time,” according to prosecutors.
Alec Baldwin is also the subject of a civil lawsuit filed by the victim’s Ukrainian parents and sister, the family attorney said Thursday.
Alec Baldwin, best known for his role on 30 Rock, has always maintained his innocence. He was assured his gun was harmless and denied pulling the trigger. A claim questioned by many experts.
This rare news had shocked Hollywood and had a powerful impact, sparking calls for firearms to be banned on sets where the presence of live ammunition is already theoretically banned.