Prosecutors Seek To Recharge Alec Baldwin Over ‘Rust’ Shooting

Back in 2021, Alec Baldwin allegedly accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust.”

There were many discussions online on who to blame.

Ultimately, the charges were dropped against Baldwin as many attributed the tragic event to an accident.

However, New Mexico prosecutors believe that Alec Baldwin can face new charges.

PROSECUTORS AIM TO RECHARGE ALEC BALDWIN WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER -NBC NEWS

New Mexico prosecutors intend to recharge actor Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal 2021 "Rust" shooting, NBC News reported on Tuesday, citing two sources… pic.twitter.com/ahfLpuqPp0

— FXHedge (@Fxhedgers) October 17, 2023

Fox News has more on the story:

Alec Baldwin could face new criminal charges in the fatal 2021 “Rust” movie set shooting, New Mexico prosecutors confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“After extensive investigation over the past several months, additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” said special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis in a statement.

They added, “We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial.”

Baldwin’s lawyers, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel, responded to the claims in a statement provided to Fox News Digital: “It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court.”

Now, here’s the thing.

Do I think Baldwin intentionally killed them?

Honestly, I’m not sure.

But I am leaning towards no.

That said, Baldwin still should have practiced proper gun safety like anyone else who uses a firearm.

X is still full of people arguing about who is to blame.

With some defending Baldwin:

via ⁦@nytimes⁩ Absolutely preposterous. Whether or not Baldwin pulled the trigger is irrelevant. The gun was supposed to be a prop. A fake. It’s a film. Everything is fake. This is just lawyers racking up millions. https://t.co/U3wO1bft1e

— Eugene O Neill (@EugeneN72843) October 17, 2023

While others are poking fun at the incident:

Who else will join me in standing behind Alec Baldwin? https://t.co/lut5K7SB03

— AlphaFo𝕏 (@Alphafox78) October 17, 2023

This is something that will be decided by the courts.

USA Today has more on the story:

“Additional facts have come to light that we believe show Mr. Baldwin has criminal culpability in the death of Halyna Hutchins and the shooting of Joel Souza,” Morrissey and Lewis said in an email. “We believe the appropriate course of action is to permit a panel of New Mexico citizens to determine from here whether Mr. Baldwin should be held over for criminal trial.”

Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the gun fired.

“It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution. We will answer any charges in court,” Baldwin’s attorneys Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY Tuesday.

Special prosecutors in April initially dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, saying at the time that they were informed the gun might have been modified before the shooting and malfunctioned. They later pivoted and began weighing whether to refile a charge against Baldwin after receiving a new analysis of the gun.

Regardless of the outcome, it is a tragic event that unfolded on the set of “Rust.”

This incident will be a reminder of the importance of gun safety.