Rust Armorer Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in Halyna Hutchins’ Death: Family Seeks Justice
In a pivotal development, the armorer for the film “Rust,” Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter, facing up to 18 months in prison for her role in the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
Hutchins’ family, represented by attorneys Gloria Allred and John Carpenter, expressed their satisfaction with the verdict. In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, they emphasized their desire for accountability, stating, “Halyna’s parents and her sister have always wanted everyone who is responsible for Halyna’s death to be held accountable.”
The trial, held at the First Judicial District Courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, concluded with the jury finding Gutierrez-Reed, 26, partially liable for the on-set shooting incident. The armorer was acquitted of a separate charge of tampering with evidence related to the case.
During the rehearsal on the set at Bonanza Creek Ranch, Alec Baldwin, the star and producer of “Rust,” held a prop gun loaded with live rounds, resulting in the accidental discharge that killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. Gutierrez-Reed, responsible for firearm safety on set, faced criticism for alleged negligence.
Prosecutor Kari Morrissey highlighted the “astonishing lack of diligence with regard to gun safety,” arguing that continuous safety failures led to Hutchins’ death. In contrast, defense attorney Jason Bowles claimed Gutierrez-Reed was unfairly singled out and criticized the investigation’s alleged lack of thoroughness.
Following the guilty verdict, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ordered Gutierrez-Reed to be remanded into custody at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center. The armorer now awaits sentencing, which has not been scheduled yet.
This development comes in the context of ongoing legal proceedings involving Alec Baldwin, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023. After charges were dropped and refiled, Baldwin’s criminal trial is set to commence on August 6, 2024. The actor maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty to the new charge.