Wat-Not Staff
Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has weighed in on the Rust shooting case, which saw Alec Baldwin accidentally discharge a prop gun, leading to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injury of director Joel Souza.
In a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast, Tarantino expressed that while the armorer on set should bear 90% of the responsibility, Baldwin, as the actor, should also accept 10% of the blame.
Tarantino emphasised that actors should inspect their weapons before use to ensure safety.
Rust Shooting Incident
On October 21, 2021, on the set of the film Rust at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was accidentally shot and killed, and director Joel Souza was injured.
This happened when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop revolver that was loaded with a live round.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, along with other agencies, investigated the incident. They found that neither Baldwin nor first assistant director David Halls knew the gun was loaded.
In January 2023, Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter, while Halls pleaded guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon.
Baldwin pleaded not guilty, and in April 2023, prosecutors indicated the charges against him were being dropped.
Gutierrez-Reed faced additional charges of tampering with evidence. In March 2024, she was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Baldwin was later re-indicted on January 19, 2024, but his trial, which began in July 2024, ended with the charges being dismissed due to a violation of evidence disclosure rules.
The case highlighted concerns about safety on film sets, the treatment of crew members, and the use of real guns in movies.
Tarantino’s Stance on Actor Responsibility
Tarantino believes that actors must personally check their weapons for safety.
He argues that while the primary responsibility lies with the armorer, actors also share some accountability for ensuring that firearms used on set are safe.
His comments highlight a critical perspective on safety protocols in the film industry.
Legal Outcomes and Ongoing Legal Battles
The manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin was dismissed due to a mishandling of evidence by prosecutors.
Baldwin’s legal team accused the prosecution of concealing crucial evidence, leading to the dismissal.
Baldwin has since filed a lawsuit against those involved in the case. Meanwhile, armorer Hannah Guttierez-Reed was convicted and sentenced for her role in the incident.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings