Gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed hands the weapon to assistant director David Halls, who hands it to Alec Baldwin, informing him that it is not dangerous.
Baldwin points the gun to one side of the camera. A live bullet is fired. The actor will claim that he did not pull the trigger.
The bullet struck Halyna Hutchins in the chest, exited through her back, and hit the shoulder of director Joel Souza, who was standing behind.
Hutchins died on the plane that was rushing her to the hospital. Souza survived.
In addition to Baldwin, gunsmith Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was also charged with manslaughter. The investigation concluded that she was the one who put the ammunition in the weapon. However, live ammunition is prohibited on American filming locations.
Assistant director David Halls pleaded guilty to charges of negligence in the use of a deadly weapon after reaching a plea agreement.
In an interview, the prosecutor pointed out the amateurism of the production and the lightness of Mr. Baldwin on the set.
The actor’s lawyer denounced a “terrible miscarriage of justice”. “Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe that a live bullet was in the gun, or anywhere else at the shooting location,” he said.
