Alec Baldwin, ‘Rust' producers, armorer, and First Assistant Director are under new legal fire. Even as New Mexico police are in the midst of their investigation into the October fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, the first of what is expected to be many lawsuits, has been filed.
Rust gaffer, Serge Svetnoy has filed a complaint of general negligence against the production, the financiers, star Alec Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the First Assistant Director David Halls, armorer mentor Seth Kenny and others. The complaint cites a wide range of unspecified damages and was placed in the docket in LA Superior Court today.
Handed what he was told was a "cold gun" by Halls during a "quick draw" rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe last month, Baldwin let off what police have called "live rounds", killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
Halls, previously fired from a film because of gun safety lapses, admitted to police that he did not properly check the gun before declaring it a "cold gun" and handing it over to the star and producer Baldwin, for the rehearsal. Halls and Gutierrez Reed have retained New Mexico criminal defense attorneys.
