Armorer’s conviction upheld in ‘Rust’ shooting by Baldwin

SANTA FE, N.M. – In a recent ruling, a New Mexico judge upheld the involuntary manslaughter conviction of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed in connection to the tragic shooting incident on the set of the film “Rust” that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Despite Gutierrez-Reed’s plea to dismiss the conviction or hold a new trial, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer affirmed the jury’s decision and sentenced her to the maximum 18-month penalty. The armorer has since filed an appeal, citing misconduct and suppression of evidence by law enforcement during the trial.

Prosecutors had accused Gutierrez-Reed of bringing live ammunition onto the set of “Rust” and failing to adhere to proper gun safety protocols, ultimately leading to the tragic shooting incident. However, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense argued that crucial evidence was withheld during the trial that could have affected the outcome.

Following the shooting, Baldwin, who was both the lead actor and co-producer of “Rust,” was pointedly involved in the incident, which occurred during a rehearsal when a prop gun discharged, resulting in Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza.

Despite her conviction, Gutierrez-Reed was cleared of evidence tampering charges related to the “Rust” investigation. She is also facing a separate felony charge for allegedly carrying a gun into a prohibited area in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to which a plea agreement is currently under review.

As legal proceedings continue, the repercussions of this tragic event have reverberated through the film industry, sparking conversations about safety protocols on movie sets and the responsibility of all individuals involved in the production process.

It’s a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and diligence in all aspects of filmmaking to prevent future tragedies like the one that befell the cast and crew of “Rust.”