Fatal shooting on the set of “Zhang”: the gunman was sentenced to eighteen months in prison

Western gunsmith RustAlec Baldwin’s producer and director of photography, who was shot dead on set in 2021, was sentenced to eighteen months in prison on Monday, April 15.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reid loaded the revolver with which Alec Baldwin was rehearsing in October 2021, when the shooting turned into a tragedy on a ranch in New Mexico (Southwest): a live bullet killed director of photography Halina Hutchins and wounded the director. Joel Souza.

The film’s star and producer, Alec Baldwin, is also charged with murder. He faces the same sentence but will be tried separately in July.

Negligence and “Consistent Safety Failures”

The drama, a rarity in the film industry, shocked Hollywood and led to calls to ban firearms on film sets. During the gunman’s trial, the prosecution criticized his amateurism and inexperience. His carelessness caused it “Constant and unending security failures” on set, according to prosecutor Kari Morris.

armored vehicles “He always left his weapon unattended”– he continued, not checking that the ammunition was safe in violation of film industry safety regulations. Blank bullets used on a target produce a clicking sound that is easily recognized by a professional when the gun is shaken. “If he doesn’t check for cheat ammunition (…) To ensure that they are indeed blank bullets, (…) It’s a game of Russian roulette that starts every time the actor draws a gun.”scolded M^I Maurice.

protection m^I Gutierrez-Reed introduced as “Scapegoat” A production that neglected safety for financial reasons. The young woman could not have known that a firearm had entered the set and believed that the production had only yielded blank bullets, according to her lawyer, Jason Bowles. He was also assigned other tasks that prevented him from fully concentrating on his role as an armorer. “Responsibility rests with production, as in any organization. it starts at the top”he argued.

Filming interrupted by tragedy Rust It finally ended up in Montana (Northwest), with Halina Hutchins’ widow Matthew as executive producer. In late 2022, he dropped a civil suit filed against Alec Baldwin in an undisclosed settlement.

Alec Baldwin’s “Pressure” on the set

Alec Baldwin’s lawyers are currently trying to get his criminal case dismissed by raising a mistrial. Last week, the prosecution requested a continuance, with a detailed response that heavily incriminates the 66-year-old actor.

Prosecutors criticize the attitude of the actor, who “Screamed regularly” Most of all, she wanted to finish the movie faster. “Mr. Baldwin’s pressure on the crew regularly broke security on set”– assessed the prosecution.

An actor who rejects the trigger “He blatantly lied about his behavior” The prosecutor’s office added on the plateau. During the first questioning by the police, he did not explicitly state that the weapon breaks down by itself: this thesis was developed only later, during a television interview. An FBI investigation concluded that the gun the actor was holding could not have been fired without engaging the chainsaw. His defense disputes this.