The key pieces of evidence in the Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Alec ... trends now

The key pieces of evidence in the Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Alec ... trends now
The key pieces of evidence in the Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Alec ... trends now

The key pieces of evidence in the Rust shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Alec ... trends now

After 15 agonizing months of investigations, interviews, police reports and lawsuits, Santa Fe prosecutors today finally announced charges in the shooting of Halyna Hutchins. 

Actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter, as will armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. 

Assistant Director Dave Halls pleaded guilty to one count of negligent use of a deadly weapon. 

Hutchins was shot dead by actor Alec Baldwin on October 21, 2021. 

Since then, the world has watched as a tormented Baldwin insisted it was an accident - but that he didn't pull the trigger - while Hutchins' family has turned from sympathetic to outraged. 

Here, DailyMail.com breaks down the key pieces of evidence and details of the last 15 months that led to the decision today. 

OCTOBER 21 - THE SHOOTING 

While filming their Western movie Rust on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Alec Baldwin accidentally shot Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza on-set. 

Baldwin had been practicing drawing his gun from his holster. 

Baldwin on the set of the movie with Halyna Hutchins, before she was shot

Baldwin on the set of the movie with Halyna Hutchins, before she was shot

The bullet pierced Souza's shoulder but fired directly into Hutchins' chest. 

She was rushed to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead, to the shock and horror of the film cast and crew. 

ALLEGATIONS OF AN UNSAFE SET AND WALK-OFFS BY DISGRUNTLED CREW 

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, it emerged that the production had been plagued with staff complaints. 

Days before the incident, several members of the crew even walked-off set. 

Their complaints included concerns over Dave Halls, the assistant director, who'd been accused in the past of running unsafe sets. 

Some said they were forced to sleep in their cars next to the set, because hotel rooms next to the set were too expensive. Instead, their rooms were booked in Santa Fe, which is a 30 minute drive from Bonanza Creek Ranch, the location of the set. 

Baldwin is seen on October 21, 2021, after speaking to investigators about the fatal shooting

Baldwin is seen on October 21, 2021, after speaking to investigators about the fatal shooting

They also complained about long hours, and claimed they weren't receiving pay checks on time. 

Almost immediately, attention turned to the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, a 24-year-old whose father was well-known in the industry, who had slim experience in the role. 

A YOUNG, 'CARELESS' ARMORER 

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, found herself at the center of the scandal almost immediately. 

Her track record emerged quickly, with former colleagues rushing to talk about how 'careless' she was on past sets, how she'd 'waved guns around' and had even handed one to  child actress. 

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, found herself at the center of the scandal almost immediately

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, found herself at the center of the scandal almost immediately

She hired a group of attorneys who immediately started firing out statements to combat the claims. 

HUTCHINS' FAMILY TURN ON BALDWIN AND SUE 

It's impossible to deny the grief and angst written all over Baldwin when he learned Hutchins had died. 

He was standing in the parking lot of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, having just been interviewed, and was photographed by a photographer for the local newspaper as he buckled in shock and tears while on the phone. 

Shortly afterwards, he released a statement saying: 'There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hucthins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours.

Hutchins with her son and her husband Matthew

Hutchins with her son and her husband Matthew

'I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how his tragedy occurred.' 

Initially, Hutchins' widower Matthew said Baldwin had been 'supportive'. 

But in February 2022, he sued the actor along with other Rust producers, citing 'reckless behavior and cost-cutting' that they claimed contributed to her death. 

Baldwin settled with Hutchins out of court, agreeing to make him an executive producer on the movie once production resumes. 

BALDWIN'S POLICE INTERVIEW - HE INSISTS HE 'COCKED' THE GUN BUT DIDN'T PULL THE TRIGGER

Baldwin insisted to police that he had been told the gun was 'cold' when it was handed to him and, crucially, that he did not pull the trigger. 

'We've done this for two weeks and we've done it the right way every day. Right before you shoot. I went to lunch. 'She disarmed me - Hannah - she always handled the gun. I come back, they hand me the revolver - Hannah - they arm me. You're

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