Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armourer on the film Rust, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The sentencing took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on March 6.
State judge Mary Marlowe Sommer cited Gutierrez-Reed’s apparent lack of remorse as a factor in imposing the maximum possible sentence. Marlowe Sommer emphasized that Gutierrez-Reed had the responsibility to ensure the safety of the set, which she failed to do. The judge stated that Gutierrez-Reed alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal one, resulting in Hutchins’s death.
The shooting incident, which occurred in October 2021, sent shockwaves through the Hollywood film industry. Alec Baldwin, the star and producer of Rust, was rehearsing a shootout scene with a revolver when the gun discharged. The revolver contained live ammunition, which is prohibited on US film sets, and the round struck Hutchins in the chest, causing her death. Director Joel Souza was also injured but has since recovered.
Baldwin, who denies pulling the trigger, is set to face trial for involuntary manslaughter in July, with a potential sentence of up to 18 months in prison.
During the sentencing hearing, Gutierrez-Reed’s defense lawyers requested the judge to consider the devastating impact a felony conviction would have on the 26-year-old. However, prosecutors highlighted Gutierrez-Reed’s apparent lack of remorse. They pointed out instances where she was allegedly in possession of cocaine and smuggled a firearm into a bar, leading to separate charges.
Prosecutors requested the maximum sentence for Gutierrez-Reed, citing her recklessness and knowledge that her actions could result in serious harm. Jailhouse phone calls, where Gutierrez-Reed expressed disbelief at her incarceration and claimed to be wrongly imprisoned, also played a role in the sentencing decision.
Family and friends of Hutchins attended the hearing, sharing statements and memories. Colleague Jen White emphasized that the incident was not an accident but negligence. Hutchins’s mother, Olga Solovey, testified via video conference from Kyiv, Ukraine, expressing the indescribable pain of losing a child.
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While it is tragic that Halyna Hutchins lost her life in the on-set shooting, it is important to consider the broader context and not solely blame Hannah Gutierrez-Reed for the incident. The responsibility for safety on a film set lies with multiple individuals and departments, including the director, producers, and the overall production team. It is unfair to single out Gutierrez-Reed and hold her solely accountable for the tragedy.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that accidents can happen even with the strictest