- The family of the cinematographer shot on the "Rust" set hailed the decision to bring charges.
- Charges will be filed against Alec Baldwin in connection to the 2021 shooting in New Mexico.
The family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of his movie "Rust," praised the Thursday announcement that the actor and other crew members would be charged in connection to the 2021 incident.
Hutchins' family said in a statement through their lawyer on Thursday that "no one is above the law" after prosecutors announced that Baldwin will be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting on the Santa Fe, New Mexico, film set.
"We want to thank the Santa Fe Sheriff and the District Attorney for concluding their thorough investigation and determining that charges for involuntary manslaughter are warranted for the killing of Halyna Hutchins with conscious disregard for human life," Hutchins' family said through attorney Brian Panish.
The statement continued, "Our independent investigation also supports charges are warranted. It is a comfort to the family that, in New Mexico, no one is above the law. We support the charges, will fully cooperate with this prosecution, and fervently hope the justice system works to protect the public and hold accountable those who break the law."
Santa Fe County District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Andrea Reeb announced earlier Thursday their highly anticipated decision to bring charges against Baldwin and other "Rust" crew members.
The movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of weapons on the movie set, is also expected to be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter over the shooting. The film's assistant director, Dave Halls, has signed a plea agreement for the charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
The criminal charges in the case will be formally filed before the end of the month, according to the district attorney.
Baldwin, who was producing and starring in "Rust," fatally shot 42-year-old Hutchins during a rehearsal inside a church building on the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set on October 21, 2021.
The actor's attorney Luke Nikas told Insider that prosecutors' decision to bring charges against the actor "distorts Halyna Hutchins' tragic death and represents a terrible miscarriage of justice."
"Mr. Baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun – or anywhere on the movie set," Nikas said. "He relied on the professionals with whom he worked, who assured him the gun did not have live rounds. We will fight these charges, and we will win."