Prosecutors drop manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin for 'Rust' shooting

Lawyers representing Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin said on Thursday that all criminal charges against their client him stemming from a tragic shooting while filming the Old West movie "Rust," were dismissed by prosecutors.

New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies initially filed manslaughter charges against Baldwin after the Oct. 21, 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

According to prosecutors, Baldwin fired a loaded gun, inflicting a fatal gunshot wound on Hutchins while also injuring director Joel Souza. Since then however, Baldwin has repeatedly insisted he never pulled the trigger, a conclusion experts initially rejected but have since considered is more likely.

“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” Baldwin's lawyers, Alex Spiro and Luke Nikas said in a joint statement, according to NBC News.

Currently, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still facing charges as a result of the shooting, but the future of her prosecutorial case remains unresolved.

Neither Baldwin nor Gutierrez-Reed were ever arrested during the legal proceedings.

Baldwin civilly settled with Hutchins' widower, Matthew, who is now receiving an executive producer credit for “Rust”, and he and Baldwin have vowed to finish filming the movie.