The family of Halyna Hutchins, director of cinematography who died during the filming of “Rust” in New Mexico, formally sued actor Alec Baldwin on Tuesday for reckless homicide.
The lawsuit was filed in the state of New Mexico against Alec Baldwin and “others responsible for security on the set during filming,” the family’s attorney, Brian Panish, said at a press conference at his law firm’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters.
Hutchins’ family brought these legal actions based on alleged negligent or reckless conduct by Baldwin along with the production crew and assistant directors of “Rust.”
Through this lawsuit, their first since the tragic event on October 25, 2021, in which Hutchins was allegedly killed by Baldwin’s accidental firing of a blank gun, they are seeking compensation for damages that will have to be determined at trial.
Appearing before reporters, Panish described the behavior of the actor and the other defendants as “reckless,” which led to a “senseless and tragic” death.
In addition, the law firm Panish Shea released a 3D presentation that included text messages and emails in which the “Rust” crew alluded to the poor safety guarantees during filming.
According to Panish, as many as fifteen protocols for maintaining safety on the film set were breached, such as there being no professional gunsmith to control gun use when Baldwin received the revolver from his first assistant director, David Halls.
“If they had followed them, this would never have happened,” the lawyer stressed before stressing that, although Baldwin bears “the greatest responsibility” for holding the gun, “there are many guilty parties” involved.
