/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/26/2024-12-26t112006978z-wion-white-logo-for-website-2-1.png){kind=logo}
/wion/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/13/2024-12-13t071548098z-wionlogo.webp)
/wion/media/member_avatars/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023/10/16/386795-mukulshotauthorpage.jpg)
/wion/media/member_avatars/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023/10/16/386795-mukulshotauthorpage.jpg)
/wion/media/post_attachments/files/2023/04/21/346740-untitled-design-41.jpg)
New Mexico
Alec Baldwin, actor accused of accidentally shooting dead cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the sets of the movie Rust (2021), is now free of criminal charges. The information was shared with the media by Baldwin's lawyers on April 20.
According to multiple accounts from the film set where the accident took place, Baldwin was pointing a pistol at Hutchins during a rehearsal when the gun went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has said the gun went off accidentally and that he did not pull the trigger.
Baldwin's freeing of criminal charges in the case coincides with Baldwin himself and other Rust film cast members resuming filming the movie in Montana.
"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," lawyers Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in an official statement.
Baldwin, 65, was charged in January with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins' death and the injury of Rust director Joel Souza. Both of them were struck by the same bullet that passed through Hutchins.
ALSO WATCH | Alec Baldwin charged with involuntary manslaughter in Rust shooting
Prosecutors had also charged armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter and will continue the prosecution against her, according to a person familiar with the matter cited by Reuters. Gutierrez-Reed has pleaded not guilty.
Baldwin was accused of showing a "reckless" disregard for safety in Hutchins' death.
He pleaded not guilty in February after prosecutors downgraded the seriousness of the charges, reducing the potential prison time.
The two special prosecutors handling the case in New Mexico's First Judicial District have not given any official statement.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.