Alec Baldwin Holds Rifle On “Rust” Set After Criminal Charges Dropped

Alec Baldwin was spotted wielding a rifle on the set of Rust, just one day after the criminal charges were dropped against him regarding the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin fatally shot Hutchins while rehearsing a scene for the same film in 2021. He had fired a prop gun that was loaded with a real bullet.

In pictures from the set, Baldwin is in character wearing leather boots, gray pants, a shirt with a black vest, and a bandana. He plays Harland Rust in the movie. Filming is taking place near the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana. The previous shoots took place in New Mexico, but they’ve moved in response to facing safety violations on set. They’ve also agreed to pay a $100,000 fine in the state.

A Candlelight Vigil For Halyna Hutchins

BURBANK, CA – OCTOBER 24: A candlelight vigil is held at IATSE Local 80 in Burbank, CA on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, for director of photography Halyna Hutchins who was fatally shot accidentally by Alec. Baldwin on the “Rust” movie set at Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, N.M. on Thursday, October 21, 2021. The movie’s director Joel Souza also was injured in the accident. The IATSE Local 80 represents motion picture grips, crafts service, first aid employees, and warehouse workers according to its website. Photographed in IATSE Local 80 on in Burbank, CA. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The charges for manslaughter against Baldwin were dropped earlier this week. “We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, the attorneys for Baldwin, said in a statement. In the time since the shooting, Baldwin has maintained he didn’t pull the trigger and pleaded not guilty. Despite the decision, prosecutors say that they may refile the charges in response to an additional investigation that is being conducted.

While Baldwin appears to be off the hook for the shooting for now, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the original Rust set, is still facing involuntary manslaughter charges of her own related to the fatal shooting.

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