Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust.” A grand jury in New Mexico indicted the actor on one count of involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin’s prop gun discharged a live round, killing Hutchins and injuring the film’s director Joel Souza on October 21, 2021. The actor was initially charged in January 2023, but those charges were dropped in April of the same year. Baldwin’s legal representatives, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, expressed anticipation for their day in court. If found guilty, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in prison.

The incident prompted a reevaluation of firearm safety procedures on film sets, with prosecutors arguing that Baldwin could not have fired the gun without pulling the trigger. The film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, faces involuntary manslaughter charges, with her trial scheduled for February 21. The investigation highlighted lapses in safety protocols on the “Rust” set, leading to renewed scrutiny of on-set practices in the film industry.