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Halyna Hutchins’ Family Sues Alec Baldwin over "Rust" Shooting


Tue 15 Feb 2022 | 10:15 PM
Yara Sameh

The family of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot and killed on the New Mexico set of the movie in October 2021, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Alec Baldwin and others involved in the movie.

They alleging that reckless behavior and cost-cutting led to her death.

The tragedy occurred on October 21 while actors were rehearsing for the movie at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe when one round was accidentally discharged from a loaded prop gun that the actor had been told was a cold or unloaded weapon.

She left behind her husband, Matthew Hutchins, and the couple’s 9-year-old son.

“He lost his long-term wife who was the love of his life, and his son lost a mother. It never should have happened,” said Brian Panish, who represents Hutchins’ estate, at a press conference announcing the suit.

The lawsuit, filed in New Mexico, cites text messages and emails sent by Lane Luper, the camera assistant who raised red flags about accidental discharges on set, and who left the production with several others just before Hutchins’ death.

The suit also alleges that Baldwin violated numerous rules for the safe handling of firearms and claimed that Baldwin committed reckless discharge of a deadly weapon, which is a criminal offense in New Mexico.

Randi McGinn, the estate’s attorney in Albuquerque, said she expected the lawsuit would get to trial within a year and a half to two years.

In addition to Baldwin, the suit names seven producers as defendants — Ryan Smith, Allen Cheney, Nathan Klingher, Ryan Winterstern, Anjul Nigam, Matthew DelPiano, and Emily Salveson.

It also names crew members Sarah Zachry, Dave Halls, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, Gabrielle Pickle, Seth Kenney, and others.

Three other crew members have already filed suit: Mamie Mitchell, the script supervisor; Serge Svetnoy, the gaffer; and Cherlyn Schaefer, the key medic.

Reed Gutierrez has also sued Kenney, who supplied ammunition to the set, alleging that he mixed live and dummy ammunition.