Alec Baldwin Faces Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Following 'Rust' Shooting

Santa Fe, New Mexico prosecutors said Thursday that actor Alec Baldwin would be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the "Rust" shooting, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set.

According to a statement released by First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, is also being prosecuted for the same crimes.

Additionally, Assistant Director David Halls "has signed a plea agreement for the charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon," as stated in the release.

Halyna Hutchins would still be alive if Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, or David Halls had just done what they were supposed to do, according to Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor appointed by Carmack-Altwies.

"It's that simple."

According to Reeb, the case evidence shows a pattern of criminal negligence for safety on the film set.

The decision to press charges was described as "a terrible miscarriage of justice" and a misinterpretation of a tragedy by Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas.

Alec Baldwin trusted the professionals he was working with, who informed him the gun did not contain live bullets, Nikas said in a statement to NPR.

"We will fight these charges, and we will win," he concluded.

Why New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Charges Alec Baldwin With Involuntary Manslaughter

New Mexico's First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies told CNN shortly after declaring her intention to file involuntary manslaughter charges that other actors, including "A-list" celebrities, conferred by prosecutors said that they constantly inspect their guns or have somebody check it in front of them.

"Every person that handles a gun has a duty to make sure that if they're going to handle that gun, point it at someone and pull the trigger, that it is not going to fire a projectile and kill someone," she said, adding that being an actor does not mean they can do whatever they want. This is the most crucial thing; everyone is equal before the law in New Mexico.

Carmack-Altwies claimed that crews did not constantly check ammo and that real bullets were mixed in with phony bullets during filming.

She also said that the set lacked safety and standards as there was live ammo.

Regarding safety, Carmack-Altwies claimed that nobody was doing their job, and the set was very fast and loose.

Law enforcement records found no compelling indication that the firearm was purposefully loaded with live ammo, according to the official summary of the postmortem examination into Hutchins' death signed by the New Mexico chief medical investigator.

'Rust' Shooting Incident

In the Western movie set in New Mexico on October 21, Halyna Hutchins was killed when Alec Baldwin accidentally shot her with a prop gun.

According to the police, officers were sent to the film location at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe after receiving an emergency call reporting an unintentional shooting.

Halyna was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital, but she died from her wounds.

Halyna was not the only one who got hurt; "Rust" director Joel Souza also went to the hospital but ultimately made it.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Alec Baldwin charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in fatal "Rust" shooting - From CBS News