‘Rust’ Gaffer Files Lawsuit Against Alec Baldwin, Other Crew Members, In Wake Of Fatal Shooting

A gaffer from the set of Rust filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, assistant director Dave Halls, and others in the wake of the fatal shooting on set last month. 

The complaint was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Court. Lighting technician Serge Svetnoy claims the bullet that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured Joel Souza narrowly missed him.

Svetnoy also alleges that he was one of the first to save Hutchins after Baldwin accidentally shot her. He refers to Hutchins as a good friend, stating he has known her for more than five years.

The complaint alleges Baldwin “owed a duty to Plaintiff and other crew members and actors on the Rust set to handle the Colt revolver provided to him by defendant Halls with reasonable care and diligence for the safety of Rust cast and crew.”

It further says that Baldwin had a duty to check the prop gun to ensure it did not contain a live round. It also says Baldwin had an obligation to treat the Colt Revolver as if it were a loaded weapon. 

As a result of the shooting, Svetnoy says he suffered “severe emotional stress.”

 Svetnoy is asking for a trial by jury and unspecified damages.