Alec Baldwin could be charged again in 'Rust' case, after new firearm analysis

Actor Alec Baldwin could be charged once again in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set for the Western movie “Rust,” after a new analysis of the gun released on Tuesday concluded that the gun’s trigger was pulled. 

A ballistics and forensic test examining the Colt. 45 revolver used on the set and the cartridges conducted in Arizona and New Mexico found that the trigger had to have been pulled or depressed. 

“Given the tests, findings, and observations reported here, the trigger had to be pulled or depressed sufficiently to release the fully cocked or retracted hammer of the evidence revolver,” reads the report led by Lucien Haag of Forensic Science Services in Arizona.

“This fatal incident was the consequence of the hammer being manually retracted to its fully rearward and cocked position followed, at some point, by the pull or rearward depression of the trigger,” the report continued.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was killed while filming the movie at a ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico in October 2021 after a prop gun that Baldwin was holding went off during rehearsals. The gunshot also wounded the film’s director, Joel Souza. 

In January of this year, Baldwin was formally charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Weapons specialist Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged in connection to the incident.

Baldwin, 65, pleaded not guilty in February, claiming that he did not pull the trigger of the prop gun and that it accidentally discharged after he followed instructions to point it toward Hutchins. 

Special prosecutors dropped the involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor in April. However, they commissioned a new analysis of the gun and other weapons from the set. 

New Mexico special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, who is handling the “Rust” case, said on Tuesday that a formal announcement on whether Baldwin will be charged again is pending. 

“Charges are still being considered against Mr. Baldwin but a final decision has not yet been made,” she added.