The long-running saga around the tragic Rust movie shooting has seen another big development.
After spending over a year behind bars, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed—the armorer involved in the incident—is now out of jail early thanks to good behavior and completion of a drug treatment program.
What Happened on Set That Day in 2021
Back in October 2021, while filming the Western Rust in New Mexico, Alec Baldwin was handling a prop revolver that tragically went off.
The shot killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has always insisted he did not pull the trigger, saying he only pulled back the hammer, but the gun fired anyway.
Baldwin’s Legal Battle and the Armorer’s Conviction
While Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges, those were dropped by a judge after it was revealed prosecutors had withheld key evidence.
On the other hand, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, with the jury ruling that her reckless handling of the ammunition led to the deadly accident.
She was sentenced to 18 months in prison starting March 2024.
Early Release but Continued Restrictions for Gutierrez-Reed
Sources told TMZ that Gutierrez-Reed was released after serving 14 months due to good behavior and completing a drug program while incarcerated.
However, she still faces a year of parole in Bullhead, Arizona, and she is banned from owning any weapons.
She must also undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any treatment recommendations.
No Contact with Victim’s Family Allowed
Part of her parole conditions includes a strict no-contact order with Halyna Hutchins’ family.
This includes Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, who received a producer credit on Rust following a wrongful death settlement related to the shooting.
The Role of Ammunition in the Tragic Incident
The gun fired by Baldwin was meant to be loaded with blanks, but instead contained live rounds.
Investigations later revealed live ammunition had been brought to the set by a retired police officer, but this crucial information was not shared with Baldwin’s defense team, impacting the course of the legal proceedings.
The Film’s Controversial Release and Baldwin’s Lawsuit
Despite the tragedy, Rust eventually premiered at a film festival in Poland last September and hit U.S. theaters this month, where it sparked mixed reviews.
Meanwhile, in January, Alec Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit against members of the Santa Fe District Attorney’s office, accusing them of malicious prosecution and violating his civil rights during the criminal case.
Baldwin claims prosecutors unfairly targeted him for political reasons and tried to pin blame on him despite the evidence.
Future Legal Moves for Gutierrez-Reed
Following Baldwin’s case dismissal, Gutierrez-Reed has requested either a new trial or the overturning of her conviction.
The case continues to attract attention as questions linger about what really happened on that fateful day and who is responsible.