The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer tragically killed on the set of “Rust,” has filed a new lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers. The lawsuit, announced by attorneys Gloria Allred and John Carpenter, was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. It accuses the defendants of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and loss of consortium.
Hutchins’ family, who are currently living in war-torn Ukraine, are grappling with the loss of their loved one. Halyna’s sister, an emergency-room nurse, and her brother-in-law, who is fighting on the front lines, are particularly affected. The attorneys emphasized that Hutchins had plans to bring her family to the United States if she were still alive.
The incident occurred in October 2021 when Baldwin accidentally shot Hutchins while practicing with a handgun on the New Mexico set. Director Joel Souza was also injured. Hutchins’ husband, who shares a young son with her, had previously reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit against the film’s producers.
Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, face two counts of involuntary manslaughter. They are scheduled to make their first court appearance virtually on February 24. Prosecutors allege that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed failed to address reckless safety violations, and that Baldwin had his finger on the trigger, contradicting his claims that he never pulled it. Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys have vowed to fight the charges.
First assistant director David Halls has agreed to plead no contest to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon, pending a judge’s approval. A plea conference is scheduled for March 8.
Several other lawsuits have emerged following the fatal shooting. Script supervisor Mamie Mitchell, also represented by Allred, filed a civil suit in November 2021, accusing Baldwin of “playing Russian roulette” by pointing a Colt .45 revolver at Hutchins. In November 2022, Baldwin filed a lawsuit alleging negligence by several crew members, following Mitchell’s lawsuit. Gutierrez-Reed also filed a lawsuit against the prop provider early last year.
The latest lawsuit, filed by Hutchins’ parents and sister, alleges negligence, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium. Allred stated that the family hopes to “find the truth and hold accountable those who are responsible.” Hutchins’ family, still in Ukraine, is struggling with the loss while dealing with the ongoing war. Hutchins’ mother, an emergency operating room nurse, and her sister’s husband, who is fighting on the front lines, are particularly affected.
Hutchins’ younger sister, Svetlana Zemko, expressed her grief in a video statement, saying, “To lose my sister was a horrible experience and one of the biggest losses of my life.” She added that the family wants those responsible to be held accountable. Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, appeared in the video but was too emotional to speak.
The lawsuit also highlights the family’s emotional and financial dependence on Hutchins. Allred noted that Hutchins had planned to bring her family to the U.S. to be together, a dream now shattered. The family still hopes to one day live in the U.S. and be part of Hutchins’ son’s life.
The lawsuit names several members of the film’s crew, including Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed. Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed are already facing criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter. They are scheduled to appear in court virtually on February 24. Prosecutors allege that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed failed to address reckless safety violations, and that Baldwin had his finger on the trigger, contradicting his claims that he never pulled it. Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys have vowed to fight the charges.
Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, stated that Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun and relied on the professionals who assured him the gun was safe. Gutierrez-Reed’s attorneys argue that she felt pressured to work in an unsafe environment and that the district attorney has misunderstood the facts.
David Halls, the film’s first assistant director, has agreed to plead no contest to a charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. The plea agreement is pending a judge’s approval, with a plea conference scheduled for March 8.
The lawsuit alleges that safety protocols were ignored on set, which could have prevented the tragedy. It accuses Baldwin of choosing to “play Russian Roulette with a loaded gun.” Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed are already facing criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter. They are scheduled to appear in court remotely for their first appearance later this month.
Hutchins’ husband, Matthew Hutchins, settled a separate civil lawsuit against Baldwin and others connected to the film in October for an undisclosed amount. As part of the settlement, Matthew was named a producer on “Rust,” which is expected to resume filming in the coming months.
Baldwin has maintained that he believed he was holding a “cold gun,” a term used in the industry to refer to a weapon without live ammunition. He has also publicly stated that the gun went off without him pulling the trigger, a claim disputed by prosecutors. Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas, stated that Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun and relied on the professionals who assured him the gun was safe. Baldwin’s attorneys have yet to comment on the most recent lawsuit filed by Hutchins’ family.
