Alec Baldwin sued by family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins killed on set of Rust
The family of a cinematographer shot to death on the set of the movie Rust is suing Alec Baldwin and the film's producers for wrongful death.
Key points:
- Baldwin is being sued for his role in handling the gun and as coordinating producer on the film.
- There are four other lawsuits that have been filed over the shooting.
- Baldwin doesn't think he will be criminally charged
Lawyers for the family of Halyna Hutchins announced the lawsuit filed on behalf of Hutchins' husband, Matthew Hutchins, and his son, Andros.
At least four other lawsuits have been filed over the shooting, but this is the first directly related to one of the two people shot.
The "reckless conduct and cost-cutting measures" of Baldwin and the film's producers "led to the death of Halyna Hutchins," attorney Brian Panish said.
A video created by the legal team showed an animated recreation of the shooting.
Baldwin, who was also a producer on the film, was pointing a gun at Hutchins during setup for the filming of a scene from the western in New Mexico on Oct. 21 last year when it blew up, killing Hutchins and wounding the director. Joel Sousa.
Hutchins' legal team said the family was pursuing legal action against Baldwin and others "who are responsible for security on set and whose reckless behavior and cost cutting led to the tragic and senseless death of Halyna Hutchins." AP: Chris Pizzello)
Baldwin has said that he was pointing the gun at Hutchins on his instructions and it went off without him pulling the trigger.
Lawyers said in the video that Baldwin had refused training for the type of gun draw he was doing when he shot Hutchins.
They said industry standards mandate the use of a rubber band gun or similar prop during the setup that was occurring, and an actual gun was not required.
Emails seeking comment from an attorney for Baldwin and a representative of the film's other producers were not immediately returned.
Investigations into Hutchins' death continue
Last month, nearly three months after the shooting, Baldwin turned over his cell phone to investigators.
Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of the movie Rust. (Instagram: Halyna Hutchins)
The research team has described "some complacency" in the way weapons were handled on the Rust set.
They have said it is too early to determine whether charges will be filed.
Baldwin said he doesn't think he will be criminally charged for the shooting.
The film's script supervisor and its lead camera operator, who were standing a few feet away when Hutchins was shot, filed a lawsuit over the trauma they endured.
The film's gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was named a defendant in those lawsuits and blamed by some for the shooting, filed her own lawsuit saying an ammunition supplier created dangerous conditions by including live ammunition in a box that was supposed to be include only pacifiers. rounds
Two members of the film crew who were nearby when Hutchins was shot have each filed their own lawsuit over the trauma they endured.
In an interview in December, Baldwin said he felt incredible sadness about the shooting, but not guilt.
"Someone is responsible for what happened, and I can't say who he is, but it's not me," Baldwin said.
He said Hutchins had asked him to point the gun just off camera and toward his armpit before it went off.
"I didn't pull the trigger," Baldwin said.
“I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger. Never".
He referred to Hutchins as "someone who was loved by everyone and admired by everyone who worked with her."
