‘Rust’ Set Armorer Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison Following Fatal Shooting of Cinematographer

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the film “Rust,” was sentenced to 18 months in prison in a New Mexico state court Monday, receiving the maximum penalty for involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident, where actor Alec Baldwin discharged live rounds from a prop gun, has been characterized by experts as preventable.

The tragic event occurred at Bonanza Creek Ranch on October 21, 2021, where Baldwin was rehearsing with a .45-caliber revolver that unexpectedly discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

Industry regulations strictly prohibit the use of live ammunition on set, and the use of dummy rounds or replicas is recommended during rehearsals.

Monday’s sentencing occurred after an emotional hearing, where Joel Souza, the film’s injured director, and others impacted by Hutchins’ death provided statements. “What I want is simply not possible. What I want is, everyone is OK and lives aren’t destroyed,” Souza expressed via a virtual call, highlighting the irreversible impact of the tragedy on Hutchins’ family and friends.

Craig Mizrahi, Hutchins’ former agent, criticized the decision to hire Gutierrez-Reed given her limited experience, suggesting it compromised safety. “When the producers hired someone with virtually no experience to not only be the armorer but also the assistant prop master, they made a crucial decision to put the safety of the cast and crew on the back burner,” he stated.

Emilia Mendieta, a close friend of Hutchins, described the event as “the result of a massive system failure” and emphasized the consequences of compromising workplace safety. “It all boils down to a very simple question: Why was there a live bullet on set?” Mendieta questioned, directly attributing the oversight to Gutierrez-Reed’s failure in her role as the armorer.

Gutierrez-Reed’s defense argued that oversight issues on the “Rust” set extended beyond her control, noting that the primary ammunition supplier had not been thoroughly investigated. Despite these arguments, and following her acquittal on a second felony count for evidence tampering, the court held her accountable for the safety lapses.

In response to the verdict and sentence, Gutierrez-Reed’s attorney announced plans to appeal, citing several trial issues. Meanwhile, further legal challenges continue, with additional felony charges pending against Gutierrez-Reed related to other alleged misconduct.