A grand jury in New Mexico indicted Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin Friday on an involuntary manslaughter charge related to the unintentional shooting of a woman on the movie set of “Rust.”
The grand jury issued the indictment nearly one year after the initial charges brought against him were dropped, according to The New York Times. He had initially been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the death of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in Oct. 2021.
The indictment charges the actor with two separate counts of involuntary manslaughter, though he can only be convicted of one, the Times reported. The felony charge alleges he had a “total disregard or indifference for the safety of others,” and the other accuses him of negligent use of a firearm.
Baldwin could face 18 months in prison if convicted of the new charge, according to The New York Times.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A grand jury has indicted actor Alec Baldwin in connection with a 2021 fatal shooting on a movie set in New Mexico.
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Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said they “look forward to [their] day in court,” according to the Times.
On set, Baldwin held a prop gun that was not discharged and unintentionally struck Hutchins in the chest, who was later airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. A bullet gave director Joel Souza a non-life-threatening wound in the shoulder.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO – OCTOBER 27: First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies for the state of New Mexico speaks during a press conference at the Santa Fe County Public Safety Building to update members of the media on the shooting accident on the set of the movie “Rust” at the on October 27, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. On October 21, 2021, Director of Photography Halyna Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza was injured on set while filming the movie “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The film’s star and producer Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm and a bullet hit Hutchins and Souza. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza, with District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies (R), speaks to the press on October 27, 2021, about the criminal investigation regarding the fatal shooting and wounding of crew members on the set of the movie “Rust,” in Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Photo by NICK LAYMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Baldwin has denied responsibility for Hutchins’ death, telling ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he did not “pull the trigger” and would “never point a gun at anyone” during a December 2021 interview. He also asserted that he was told the gun did not contain any live rounds and that no live ammunition was supposed to be on set.
The first indictment had been dropped after the prosecution received evidence indicating the gun may have been designed in a manner of making it easy for it to go off without pulling the trigger, the Times reported. A forensic report commissioned by the prosecution concluded that Baldwin must have pulled the trigger for the gun to fire rounds, leading to the revival of the case, the Times reported. (RELATED: Joy Behar Suggests New Mexico Special Prosecutor Is Charging Alec Baldwin Because She’s ‘A Big Republican’)
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – OCTOBER 23: Photos of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins are displayed before a vigil held to honor her at Albuquerque Civic Plaza on October 23, 2021 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hutchins was killed on set while filming the movie “Rust” at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 21, 2021. The film’s star and producer Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm that hit Hutchins and director Joel Souza. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: “Rust” script supervisor Mamie Mitchell speaks during press conference with Gloria Allred as a lawsuit is filed against Alec Baldwin for on-set film shooting on November 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
The movie’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is also facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, according to the Times. She pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear before a judge in February.
The producers of the film, “Rust,” had received complaints about risks to the safety of cast and crew, including accidental discharges and labor unrest. Six crew members reportedly walked off the set to protest the working conditions just hours before the fatal shooting.
Mamie Mitchell, a script supervisor attached to “Rust,” announced a lawsuit against Baldwin on Nov. 17, 2021. A California judge determined Oct. 31 that Mitchell could move forward with her civil lawsuit, barring some of the claims, but allowing most. Mitchell ultimately claimed, after amendments to her original claims, that she’s the victim of assault and battery, “intentional infliction of emotional distress” and negligence. The bullet did not hit Mitchell. Gloria Allred, an attorney for some of celebrities’ biggest cases, represents her.
Alec Baldwin insists he did not “pull the trigger” that killed Hutchins:
Watch body cam footage of the shooting’s aftermath:
“The View” co-host Joy Behar said Baldwin is being charged because special prosecutor is Republican: