Rust Armorer Released After Prison Sentence
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer involved in the fatal shooting on the set of the Western film Rust, has been released from a New Mexico prison after serving an 18-month sentence. According to prison records, she left the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants and returned to her home in Bullhead City, Arizona, under parole conditions tied to her involuntary manslaughter conviction.
Gutierrez-Reed was convicted for her role in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021, when a revolver discharged during a rehearsal involving actor Alec Baldwin. Baldwin was pointing the gun at Hutchins on the movie set near Santa Fe when the tragic accident occurred, also injuring director Joel Souza.
Legal Proceedings and Parole Conditions
In March 2024, a jury found Gutierrez-Reed guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Although she has appealed the conviction, jurors acquitted her of evidence tampering charges related to the investigation. Prosecutors argued that she inadvertently brought live ammunition onto the Rust set and failed to adhere to basic firearm safety protocols.
Furthermore, weeks before filming began, Gutierrez-Reed pleaded guilty to unlawfully carrying a gun into a licensed liquor establishment in downtown Santa Fe. As part of her parole, she must undergo mental health evaluations and is banned from owning or possessing firearms.
Background of the Rust Incident
During the rehearsal that led to the incident, Baldwin, who also co-produced Rust, discharged a prop gun that unexpectedly contained live rounds. This tragic event resulted in the death of Hutchins and injured Souza. An involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin was dismissed last year after allegations surfaced that evidence was withheld from the defense team.
Production of Rust was completed in Montana, and the film was released in theaters earlier this month. Community members and legal experts continue to discuss the case, emphasizing the importance of strict safety measures on film sets to prevent future tragedies.
For more news and updates on Rust armorer released prison sentence, visit Filipinokami.com.