Background on Hannah Gutierrez-Reed
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer convicted for the fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust,” was released from prison on Friday under supervised release, according to authorities.
Gutierrez-Reed, responsible for props on the film being shot in southwestern United States, loaded the revolver that Alec Baldwin used during a rehearsal in October 2021, when a live round accidentally discharged and fatally wounded director of photography Halyna Hutchins.
Conviction and Sentence
Gutierrez-Reed, 27, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter in April of the previous year.
Brittany Roembach, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Corrections, confirmed her release and stated that she will be under double supervision—supervised release and parole—in Arizona for one year due to involuntary manslaughter.
In addition, she will undergo 18 months of parole for improperly handling a firearm without meeting legal requirements.
Responsibilities and the Incident
As the film’s armorer, Gutierrez-Reed was in charge of bringing ammunition to the set and ensuring safe handling of weapons used in production.
The investigation never clarified how the live round that killed Hutchins ended up on set.
“Rust” Film Shooting Details
“Rust”, a low-budget Western co-produced and starring Baldwin, was being filmed at a New Mexico ranch when the tragedy occurred.
The bullet that exited the gun during the rehearsal also injured Joel Souza, the film’s director, in the shoulder.
Halyna Hutchins, a 42-year-old Ukrainian cinematographer considered a rising star in Hollywood, died following the incident.
Her death halted filming and caused shockwaves in the film industry, reigniting discussions about weapon usage on sets.
Alec Baldwin also faced legal consequences, but procedural errors led to the dismissal of charges against him.
Filming for “Rust” resumed and concluded in 2023 following an agreement with Hutchins’ widow and under Souza’s direction.
The film centers on Baldwin’s character, a gunslinger who helps his grandson evade a death sentence for accidentally killing a cowboy.
Distributed by independent company Falling Forward Films, “Rust” was released in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2023, and is available for rental or purchase on various streaming platforms.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed? She is the armorer convicted for her role in the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust.”
- What was her sentence? She was sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
- What happened during the “Rust” film shooting? A live round discharged from a revolver loaded by Gutierrez-Reed, fatally wounding director of photography Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.
- What is the current status of “Rust”? The film was completed in 2023 under the direction of Joel Souza following an agreement with Hutchins’ widow.
- When was “Rust” released? The film was released in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2023.
