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Three members of the film’s Rust crew have filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and the producers, alleging that they experienced anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder due to the shooting death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.
The October 2021 incident occurred in a church building at Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, when Baldwin’s gun fired, killing Hutchins and wounding principal Joel Souza.
Baldwin denied pulling the trigger, but prosecutors charged him with manslaughter for firing the gun while pointed at Hutchins.
The three team members who have come up with the latter are Ross Addiego, the dolly operator, Doran Curtin, the costume designer, and Reese Price, the key grip.
All three claim they were near Baldwin when the gun was fired and suffered “blast injuries” from the deafening sound of the gunshot.
Halyna Hutchins was shot to death on the set of the film Rust in October 2021
Alec Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, but prosecutors have charged him with manslaughter for firing the gun while pointed at Hutchins.
Hutchins fell to the ground in front of Curtin. “She watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed her abdomen,” the lawsuit says.
Plaintiff Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’ pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, plaintiff Curtin was taken from the church. Once outside, he collapsed from the effects of the explosion and the impact of the shooting.
The suit also accuses the producers of cutting corners and hiring people who had been the subject of previous safety complaints, including David Halls, the first assistant director, and gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who “lacked experience” because the producers they supposedly wanted a ‘quick relationship’. and cheap production.’
Gutierrez Reed, like Baldwin, also faces a manslaughter charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison. Both have pleaded not guilty.
He mistakenly loaded a live bullet into the gun that Baldwin fired, and criticized the film’s producers for not providing enough time for firearms training.
The lawsuit also accuses the producers of cutting corners and hiring people who had been the subject of previous safety complaints, including David Halls, the first assistant director.
Rust gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed appeared before a judge virtually last Friday
‘Rust’ gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was charged with Baldwin in the woman’s death
Producer and actor Baldwin fired the prop gun (pictured) that killed one crew member and wounded another on the set of the movie ‘Rust’ in New Mexico.
The lawsuit blames Baldwin for not paying attention during weapons training, for not making sure the gun was not loaded with a live bullet, and for firing.
Other crew members have also filed lawsuits in New Mexico and California, including the script supervisor, set doctor, and gaffer.
Baldwin’s attorneys filed a counterclaim in one of those lawsuits, alleging that four other people were at fault for the shooting.
Hutchins’ widower, Matthew, sued a year ago and reached a settlement in October that will allow the film to be completed.
The producers plan to resume filming this spring in Montana, with Baldwin still in the title role.
Last week, Rust Movie Productions agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a workplace safety citation from the New Mexico Office of Occupational Safety and Health.
Baldwin’s representatives have declined to comment.
Baldwin is pictured second from left alongside Hutchins on the set of Rust before his death in October 2021.
Baldwin (pictured after the shooting) has insisted that manslaughter charges are not applicable because he had not acted negligently when Hutchins was accidentally shot.