The criminal case against US actor Alec Baldwin (65) after a fatal shot while shooting a film has been dropped. The special prosecutor for the prosecution submitted the order on Friday (local time), the competent court in Santa Fe (US state of New Mexico) said. Prosecutors announced on Thursday that the involuntary manslaughter charge brought against Baldwin in January would be dropped.
Accordingly, new facts have become known in the past few days that require further investigations and forensic analyzes. Investigations into the case would continue, and Baldwin could be prosecuted again at a later date, said a statement.
Camerawoman Halyna Hutchins was fatally injured in October 2021 while filming the western “Rust” at a film ranch in Santa Fe. Baldwin, who served as lead actor and producer on the film, was holding a gun in rehearsal for a scene when a shot went off. There was a real bullet in the Colt. It’s unclear how the live ammunition got on set.
Baldwin and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter in January. Both have always denied responsibility for the fatal accident. Gutierrez-Reed has yet to appear in court, special counsel said. The next hearing has been set for August.
