Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Family Of Slain 'Rust' Cinematographer Sues Alec Baldwin And Others For Wrongful Death
A photo of Serge Svetnoy and Halyna Hutchins is displayed after a November news conference that announced a separate lawsuit by Svetnoy.
(
Patrick T. Fallon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
The husband and 9-year-old son of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins have brought a wrongful death lawsuit against actor and producer Alec Baldwin, alleging Baldwin’s fatal shooting of Hutchins was the tragic consequence of negligence and violating safety rules.
Tuesday’s legal action from Matthew and Andros Hutchins says Baldwin is largely responsible for killing Hutchins because he didn't follow “basic rules for safe gun handling,” including failing to treat the gun as if it was loaded and failing to aim it away from Hutchins. The civil action says Baldwin violated New Mexico criminal law because he “recklessly caused a deadly weapon to discharge.”
New Mexico authorities have yet to say if they intend to file criminal charges. The Hutchins family lawsuit is the latest in several such actions filed in response to the fatal shooting, including one from Hutchins’ long-time chief electrician.
What The Family Alleges
The family’s complaint, which seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages, names as defendants Baldwin, the movie’s producers, and crew members and vendors who worked with firearms on the film’s set.
Support for LAist comes from
As part of its legal action, the Hutchins family produced a sophisticated video reenactment of the October incident, countering some of Baldwin’s previous statements about what happened. More broadly, the complaint argues that the “Rust” production had no regard for safety, largely to keep costs down.
From the outset of filming, the lawsuit says:
- Baldwin and his fellow “Rust” producers “chose to hire the cheapest crew available, rather than hiring, training, and supervising crew who were qualified”
- And also “chose to cut corners and not strictly enforce the industry standard gun safety protocols on set, including proper storage, inspection maintenance and operation of firearms and ammunition.”
It quotes from text messages and an email from a “Rust” camera operator saying the set was “super unsafe” before Baldwin killed Hutchins because of prior discharges of live ammunition. The film’s unit production manager allegedly replied, “Awesome. Sounds good.”
Baldwin has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist