Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the film Rust, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The decision was handed down by Santa Fe judge Mary Sommer following Gutierrez-Reed's conviction by a jury, making her the first crewmember to be found guilty for her role in the tragic incident.
Involuntary manslaughter charges in New Mexico carry a maximum sentence of 18 months, and prosecutors sought the upper limit of the term for Gutierrez-Reed. The judge emphasized the serious nature of Gutierrez-Reed's actions, stating that she alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal one, resulting in the loss of a life.
Gutierrez-Reed, who has been in custody since March, expressed her remorse during the sentencing hearing, acknowledging her role in the tragedy. She maintained that she took her job seriously despite facing challenges such as lack of proper resources and staffing.
Lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey urged the judge to issue the highest allowable sentence, citing Gutierrez-Reed's refusal to fully accept responsibility for her actions. The judge noted that Gutierrez-Reed had shown a lack of remorse and had attempted to shift blame onto others involved in the production.
The shooting occurred on October 21, 2021, when a prop gun held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged, striking and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Gutierrez-Reed was found to have loaded the gun with live ammunition instead of dummy rounds, leading to the tragic outcome.
The sentencing of Gutierrez-Reed is seen as a significant development in the case, with implications for future instances of negligence on film sets. The conviction and sentence may help establish criminal liability in similar incidents and serve as a reminder of the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols on set.
Actor Alec Baldwin, who was also involved in the incident, is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in a separate trial scheduled to begin in July. Prosecutors have alleged that Baldwin endangered others by missing initial firearms training and hiring an inexperienced armorer.
The tragic events on the set of Rust have sparked discussions about safety practices in the film industry and the need for greater accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future.
