Alec Baldwin Reaches Settlement with Halyna Hutchins' Family

Facts

• The family of Halyna Hutchins — the cinematographer killed on the set of the movie "Rust" — and Alec Baldwin have reached an undisclosed settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Baldwin, the movie's production companies, producers, and other members of the crew.
• Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021 after a gun Baldwin was holding went off while rehearsing a shot for the movie on the New Mexico set. The Hutchins family subsequently filed a suit in February of this year.
• As part of the settlement, Hutchins' widower, Matthew Hutchins, will reportedly become an executive producer when the film resumes production in January.
• With questions arising about how live ammunition could've been in the gun, New Mexico safety regulators fined the production company $137k, citing its failure to consult weapons specialists before and after loading the gun and handing it to Baldwin.
• Hutchins' husband, who previously stated he wanted to "determine who was to blame for the incident," has seemingly now reversed course. However, Santa Fe's District Attorney said two weeks ago that she intends to prosecute four people involved, with Baldwin as a "possible defendant."
• The settlement still needs to be approved by the court. However, both sides have celebrated the outcome, with Baldwin's attorneys saying, "everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna's son."

Sources: CNN, FOX News, Huffington Post, and New York Post.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by Prepared Gun Owners. Hutchins' death was a tragic example of the hypocrisy-ridden politics of Alec Baldwin and Hollywood stars more generally. Though this settlement may be the only consequence he faces, Baldwin will forever stand as proof that the law-abiding gun owners he maligns — who promote responsible gun safety measures — were right, while he's the reckless one.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by CNN. This settlement goes a long way to bringing closure to Hutchin's family and paying tribute to her final work. Her death was a devastating accident, and the entertainment community has respectably come together to heal. Hutchins' family, the movie's director, and Baldwin's attorneys have all agreed to keep her memory alive in a positive light, which is what everyone should do.