Three crew members of the film Rust have filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and the producers, claiming they experienced anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following the death of film director Halyna Hutchins.
The October 2021 incident occurred at a church building on the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, when Baldwin’s gun fired, the bullet killing Hutchins and wounding Director Joel Souza.
Baldwin denied pulling the trigger, but prosecutors have charged him with involuntary manslaughter for firing the gun while pointing it at Hutchins.
The three crew members who submitted the latter are Ross Addiego, the dolly operator, Doran Curtin, the regular, and Reese Price, the key grab.
All three claim they were near Baldwin when the gun fired and suffered “blast injuries” from the deafening sound of the shot.
Halyna Hutchins was shot dead in October 2021 on the set of the movie Rust
Alec Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, but prosecutors have charged him with involuntary manslaughter for firing the gun while pointing it at Hutchins.
Hutchins fell to the ground in front of Curtin. She watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed her stomach.
Prosecutor Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’s pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, Prosecutor Curtin was evicted from the church. Once outside she collapsed from the effects of the explosion and the shock of the shooting.’
The lawsuit also accuses the producers of cutting back on and hiring individuals who had been the subject of previous safety complaints, including David Halls, the first assistant director, and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who had “no experience” because the producers went to reportedly a “quick and cheap production.”
Gutierrez Reed, like Baldwin, also faces an involuntary manslaughter charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. Both have confessed to being innocent.
She accidentally loaded a live round into the gun that fired Baldwin and has criticized the film’s producers for not allowing enough time for firearms training.
The lawsuit also accuses the producers of cutting back on and hiring individuals who had been the subject of previous safety complaints, including David Halls, the first assistant director
Rust gunner Hannah Gutierrez-Reed appeared before a judge almost last Friday
‘Rest’ gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged with the woman’s death along with Baldwin
Producer and actor Baldwin fired the wad gun (pictured) that killed one crew member and injured another on the set of the movie “Rust” in New Mexico
The suit accuses Baldwin of not paying attention during weapons training, failing to ensure the gun was not loaded with a live bullet, and firing the bullet.
Other crew members also filed lawsuits in New Mexico and California, including the script supervisor, set medic, and gaffer.
Baldwin’s lawyers filed a counterclaim in one of those lawsuits, claiming four other people were guilty of the shooting.
Hutchins’ widower Matthew filed a lawsuit a year ago and in October agreed to a settlement that will allow the film to be completed.
The producers plan to resume shooting in Montana this spring, with Baldwin still starring.
Last week, Rust Movie Productions agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a workplace safety citation from the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau.
Baldwin’s representatives declined to comment.
Baldwin is pictured second from left next to Hutchins on the set of Rust before her death in October 2021
Baldwin (pictured after the shooting) has maintained the involuntary manslaughter charges do not apply because he did not act negligently when Hutchins was accidentally shot
