'Rust' Shooting: Armorer Hanna Gutierrez-Reed Convicted

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Facts

  • A jury Wednesday found Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the weapons handler who gave actor Alec Baldwin the loaded gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the 'Rust' movie set in 2021, guilty of involuntary manslaughter.1
  • Since Gutierrez-Reed's trial began on Feb. 21, the jury has heard from weapons experts, members of the movie crew, and FBI authorities, among others. She now faces a $5k fine and up to 18 months in prison.2
  • Prosecutors argued she was responsible for ensuring the revolver carried only dummy rounds. However, it had one real bullet that Baldwin later fired when working with Hutchins to set up the camera.3
  • They alleged that the movie set armorer disregarded safety protocols that may have detected any real rounds. She was charged with unknowingly allowing the bullet to be placed in the revolver.4
  • Gutierrez-Reed claimed she loaded and checked all six rounds, but wished she'd 'checked it more.' First assistant director Dave Halls testified seeing only 3-4 clearly fake bullets when she showed him the gun's chamber.3
  • Baldwin, who said he cocked the gun but didn't pull the trigger, will go to trial in July. Expert witnesses testified that images from the movie set showed him violating safety protocols. This includes allegedly firing in a 'no-go' zone, firing after the director yelled 'cut,' and waving the gun like a stick.5

Sources: 1BBC News, 2FOX News, 3New York Times, 4New York Post and 5Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Deadline. While Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was likely not the only one at fault here, her prosecution and conviction are completely reasonable given that all weapons and ammunition were her responsibility. Besides, it's not as if she's a scapegoat since Baldwin will face his own trial and could end up being convicted. Several of those who were reckless in handling the weapon have already faced the consequences or are about to.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Hollywood Reporter. This case is not as cut-and-dry as some are making it out to be. Not only was Gutierrez-Reed in charge of weapons, but due to budget cuts, the production team put her in charge of props as well. She was, therefore, one person covering what should have been handled by two people. Further, texts and emails show the production team repeatedly ignored her requests for more attention on weapon safety and training for Baldwin. She's being punished for the willful neglect of the movie executives.