SANTA FE, N.M. — Prosecutors in New Mexico plan to drop an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film “Rust,” Baldwin’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,” Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in a statement.
Prosecutors didn’t immediately comment on the case. It wasn’t immediately clear whether charges could be refiled.
Jae C. Hong
FILE - This aerial photo shows the movie set of "Rust" at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Prosecutors in New Mexico plan to drop an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin in the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western film “Rust.” Baldwin’s attorneys said in a statement Thursday that they are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Baldwin and the film’s weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting.
Baldwin was pointing a pistol at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when the gun when off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has said the gun went off accidentally and that he did not pull the trigger. An FBI forensic report found the weapon could not have fired unless the trigger was pulled.
The case against Baldwin had already been diminishing. A weapons charge that would have meant a much longer sentence had already been dismissed, and the first special prosecutor in the case resigned.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the charge against Gutierrez-Reed would also be dropped.
The charges 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.”
“Rust” safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls pleaded no contest in March to a conviction for unsafe handling of a firearm and a suspended sentence of six months of probation.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
John Minchillo
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, photo Alec Baldwin watches the men's singles final of the US Open tennis championships in New York. A prop firearm discharged by veteran actor Alec Baldwin, who is starring and producing a Western movie, killed his director of photography and injured the director Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at the movie set outside Santa Fe, N.M., the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
John Minchillo
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, photo Alec Baldwin watches the men's singles final of the US Open tennis championships in New York. A prop firearm discharged by veteran actor Alec Baldwin, who is starring and producing a Western movie, killed his director of photography and injured the director Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 at the movie set outside Santa Fe, N.M., the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office said.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
New Line Cinema
The 2012 musical comedy isn’t one of Alec Baldwin’s better-known movies, and he seems content to keep it that way. The same year it was released, he called it “a complete disaster” in an interview with The Wrap.
New Line Cinema
The 2012 musical comedy isn’t one of Alec Baldwin’s better-known movies, and he seems content to keep it that way. The same year it was released, he called it “a complete disaster” in an interview with The Wrap.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Bonnie Biess/Getty Images/New York Daily News/TNS
The most famous of the Baldwin clan has a notoriously fraught relationship with the paps, once even suggesting that paparazzi should be waterboarded in 2012. He was accused of striking a photographer that same year.
Bonnie Biess/Getty Images/New York Daily News/TNS
The most famous of the Baldwin clan has a notoriously fraught relationship with the paps, once even suggesting that paparazzi should be waterboarded in 2012. He was accused of striking a photographer that same year.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Chris Pizzello
Betty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Betty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Famously hot-tempered Alec Baldwin worked as a nightclub bouncer before hitting it big—at New York City’s famed Studio 54, no less.
Famously hot-tempered Alec Baldwin worked as a nightclub bouncer before hitting it big—at New York City’s famed Studio 54, no less.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Overall wins: 8 Total nominations: 20 TV wins: 8 Movie wins: 0 The actor with the most SAG Award wins is Alec Baldwin. He has been nominated 20 times in his acting career and has won eight of them. His first win came in 2007 in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “30 Rock.” He went on to win the same award in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. To round out his eight wins, “30 Rock” won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2009.
Overall wins: 8 Total nominations: 20 TV wins: 8 Movie wins: 0 The actor with the most SAG Award wins is Alec Baldwin. He has been nominated 20 times in his acting career and has won eight of them. His first win came in 2007 in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in “30 Rock.” He went on to win the same award in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. To round out his eight wins, “30 Rock” won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2009.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Actor Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, a yoga instructor, married in 2011 and have four children together. Hilaria says she didn’t know anything about the "30 Rock” actor when they met. After learning Baldwin was pre-diabetic, his health-conscious wife helped the actor adopt a healthier diet to shed 30 pounds.
Actor Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, a yoga instructor, married in 2011 and have four children together. Hilaria says she didn’t know anything about the "30 Rock” actor when they met. After learning Baldwin was pre-diabetic, his health-conscious wife helped the actor adopt a healthier diet to shed 30 pounds.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Season 32, Episode 5 IMDb rating: 7.6 IMDb votes: 93 Airdate: November 11, 2006 In 2006, “SNL” had assembled one of its strongest casts ever, thanks to a lineup that included Andy Samberg, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, and Bill Hader. This particular episode included Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan guest-starring in Baldwin's monologue.
Season 32, Episode 5 IMDb rating: 7.6 IMDb votes: 93 Airdate: November 11, 2006 In 2006, “SNL” had assembled one of its strongest casts ever, thanks to a lineup that included Andy Samberg, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Seth Meyers, and Bill Hader. This particular episode included Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan guest-starring in Baldwin's monologue.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Santa Actor: Alec Baldwin
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
Santa Claus goes full fantasy in this epic that encompasses all the holiday patrons — the Easter Bunny, the Boogeyman, even the Tooth Fairy — as they band together to fight an ancient, recently awakened evil. While it’s a good movie, it’s not very Christmasy with Alec Baldwin’s hardened, battle-worn Santa. When he laughs, his belly shakes like a bowl full of cement.
Santa Actor: Alec Baldwin
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
Santa Claus goes full fantasy in this epic that encompasses all the holiday patrons — the Easter Bunny, the Boogeyman, even the Tooth Fairy — as they band together to fight an ancient, recently awakened evil. While it’s a good movie, it’s not very Christmasy with Alec Baldwin’s hardened, battle-worn Santa. When he laughs, his belly shakes like a bowl full of cement.
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Chris Pizzello
Alec Baldwin attends the "The Boss Baby" panel on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Alec Baldwin attends the "The Boss Baby" panel on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Chris Pizzello
Alec Baldwin accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live" at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Chris Pizzello
Alec Baldwin accepts the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live" at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Will Heath
This Jan. 14, 2017 photo released by NBC shows Alec Baldwin President Elect Donald J. Trump in a sketch on "Saturday Night Live," in New York. (Will Heath/NBC via AP)
Will Heath
This Jan. 14, 2017 photo released by NBC shows Alec Baldwin President Elect Donald J. Trump in a sketch on "Saturday Night Live," in New York. (Will Heath/NBC via AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Mark J. Terrill
Alec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mark J. Terrill
Alec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Evan Agostini
Actors Alec Baldwin, left, and Amy Sedaris pose together at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan Agostini
Actors Alec Baldwin, left, and Amy Sedaris pose together at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Evan Agostini
Actor Alec Baldwin, right, and wife Hilaria Baldwin attend the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan Agostini
Actor Alec Baldwin, right, and wife Hilaria Baldwin attend the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
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Star Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on movie set that killed photo chief and injured director
Evan Agostini
Actor Alec Baldwin, center, poses with his wife Hilaria Baldwin and their children at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Evan Agostini
Actor Alec Baldwin, center, poses with his wife Hilaria Baldwin and their children at the world premiere of "The Boss Baby: Family Business" at the SVA Theatre on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
