A U.S. prosecutor will announce on Thursday whether Alec Baldwin’s fatal shooting on the set of the 2021 movie “Rust” will result in criminal charges once morest the actor or others involved.
• Read also: Fatal shooting on a set: Alec Baldwin files a complaint in turn
• Read also: Fatal shooting: Alec Baldwin reaches an agreement with the victim’s family
On October 21, 2021, this shooting on a ranch in Santa Fe (New Mexico) had turned tragic when Mr. Baldwin had activated a weapon supposed to contain only blank bullets, but whose very real projectile had killed the director of photography Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injured director Joel Souza.
This rare news item had shocked Hollywood and had a strong impact, beyond the American borders.
The 64-year-old actor, best known for the series “30 Rock”, has always said that he was assured that his weapon was harmless.
Alec Baldwin also maintained that he did not pull the trigger, a claim questioned by experts.
The police investigation focused in particular on determining how live ammunition might have been found on the set, which is in theory strictly prohibited, precisely to avoid accidents.
Officers concluded that the shooting gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, put the ammunition in the gun used by Alec Baldwin, instead of a dummy bullet.
Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and a prosecutor appointed to investigate the shooting, Andrea Reeb, will announce their decision Thursday, according to a statement.
Authorities said last year that four people, including Alec Baldwin, might potentially be prosecuted.
In August, the star said he expected no one to be charged, telling CNN that he had hired a private detective to establish responsibilities in the case.
The tragedy gave rise to a flurry of civil lawsuits from several members of the team.
In October 2022, Alec Baldwin announced that he had reached an agreement ending the civil lawsuits brought by Ms. Hutchins’ family.
Its amount was not disclosed.
At the time, the resumption of filming of “Rust” was also announced for 2023.
