Layla Al-Khalifa

“Shocking Verdict: ‘Rust’ Armorer Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter!”

Movie Set Weapons Handler Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

LOS ANGELES — In a dramatic turn of events, a movie set weapons handler, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021.

Gutierrez-Reed was acquitted of a second charge of tampering with evidence, but now faces a potential 18-month prison sentence for her involvement in the fatal shooting.

The incident occurred when actor Alec Baldwin, who also faces a manslaughter trial, unintentionally fired a live round from a gun during a rehearsal, leading to Hutchins’ untimely death.

Despite the verdict, Gutierrez-Reed maintained a stoic demeanor as the judgment was delivered. She offered reassurance to her tearful mother as she was escorted away by law enforcement, expressing that “It’ll be OK,” according to Reuters.

Hutchins’ family expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating their anticipation for further accountability in the legal system to ensure all responsible parties face consequences for the tragedy.

The conviction of Gutierrez-Reed may provide a defense angle for Baldwin, as his attorneys can argue that the presence of live ammunition on set was the responsibility of the armorer, not the actor.

Prosecutors alleged that Gutierrez-Reed exhibited negligence by failing to properly inspect and load the gun with only dummy rounds, ultimately leading to the fatal shooting.

Witnesses testified during the trial, including the film’s director Joel Souza, who survived being shot in the incident and recalled Gutierrez-Reed’s repeated apologies after the tragedy unfolded.

The trial also featured emotional footage of the aftermath of the shooting, capturing the frantic efforts of paramedics to save Hutchins’ life.

Gutierrez-Reed was also acquitted of evidence tampering related to allegations of attempting to discard narcotics following the shooting.

Despite the somber events, the film’s cast and crew completed production in honor of Hutchins, with her husband taking on an executive producer role in her memory. — BBC