Alec Baldwin: Why Actor Is Being Sued By Late Cinematographer's Family

In what may come as unexpected to many, Alec Baldwin and the producers of Rust have been sued by the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was accidentally shot by the actor on the set of the movie.

Time reports that the Hollywood star was sued on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, by the aggrieved family, alleging that their callous disregard amid safety concerns resulted in her death.

The lawsuit was announced at a news conference by the attorneys for Hutchins' husband and nine-year-old son. They stated that Baldwin objected to being trained for the type of "cross-draw" he was demonstrating when he fired the shot that ended her life.

Halyna Hutchins

Responding to the accusation, Baldwin's lawyer said that any claim referring to his client as reckless is "entirely false".

“Any claim that Alec was reckless is entirely false,” Aaron Dyer, attorney for Baldwin and other producers, said in a statement on Tuesday.

"He, Halyna, and the rest of the crew relied on the statement by the two professionals responsible for checking the gun that it was a ‘cold gun’ – meaning there is no possibility of a discharge."

Alec Baldwin | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

In the suit which was filed in New Mexico’s Santa Fe County in the name of Matthew and Andros Hutchins, text messages between a camera operator and a producer are captured, and a gun safety complaint is met with what the suit says is "callous sarcasm".

The suit further says that according to industry standards, a rubber or a similar prop gun should have been used during the setup as there was no need for a real gun.

It also adds that both Baldwin and the assistant director David Halls (who gave the actor the gun) should have had the revolver checked for live bullets.