SANTA FE, N.M. — The weapons supervisor in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western film “Rust” pleaded guilty Monday to a separate criminal charge of carrying a gun into a licensed liquor establishment.
Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed agreed to change her plea to guilty on the charge in exchange for a reduced sentence of 18 months supervised probation.
Judge T. Glenn Ellington approved the agreement that allows Gutierrez-Reed to begin probation while serving out an 18-month prison term for involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins at a New Mexico state penitentiary.
In the “Rust” case, prosecutors blamed Gutierrez-Reed for unwittingly bringing live ammunition onto the movie set and for failing to follow basic gun safety protocols.
Gutierrez-Reed shuffled into the Santa Fe courtroom Monday in a beige jumpsuit, handcuffs and ankle shackles to change her plea to guilty and waive her right to trial.
“I’d just like to apologize to the court and thank you for your judgment today,” she said.
The case stems from evidence that a few weeks before “Rust” began filming in October 2021, Gutierrez-Reed carried a gun into a downtown bar in Santa Fe where firearms are prohibited.
Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said Gutierrez-Reed filmed herself in the bathroom of the bar with a handgun — explaining how she snuck in the prohibited firearm in a video that was obtained when authorities searched the armorer’s phone during the “Rust” investigation.
Gutierrez-Reed was convicted in March at trial of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Hutchins. She has an appeal of that conviction pending in a higher court.
Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer for “Rust,” was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal for the film when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
In July, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed an involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin halfway through a trial based on the withholding of evidence by police and prosecutors from the defense. Morrissey has since asked the judge to reconsider.
Under terms of her plea agreement, Gutierrez-Reed is prohibited while on probation from possessing firearms, consuming alcohol or drugs and must pay $180 in fees while submitting a sample of her DNA to a criminal database and completing an addiction treatment program.
Defense attorney Jason Bowles said the agreement makes it possible for Gutierrez-Reed to be released from prison as soon as June 2025 to complete probation in Arizona without getting an additional felony conviction on her record.
An armorer who worked on Alec Baldwin’s film “Rust” has pleaded guilty to a gun charge in an unrelated case, shedding light on the importance of proper gun safety protocols in the film industry.
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for the film “Rust,” recently pleaded guilty to a charge of unsafe storage of firearms in New Mexico. This charge is unrelated to the tragic incident on the set of “Rust” where actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a prop gun.
The case against Gutierrez-Reed highlights the crucial role that armorers play in ensuring the safety of cast and crew members on film sets. As the individuals responsible for handling and maintaining firearms used in movies, armorers must adhere to strict safety protocols to prevent accidents like the one that occurred on the set of “Rust.”
In the wake of the tragedy on the set of “Rust,” there has been increased scrutiny on the use of firearms in film production. Many industry professionals have called for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The guilty plea from Gutierrez-Reed serves as a reminder of the importance of proper gun safety training and procedures in the film industry. It is essential for armorers to be well-trained and knowledgeable about handling firearms to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of everyone on set.
Moving forward, it is crucial for filmmakers and production companies to prioritize safety when using firearms in their projects. By implementing thorough safety protocols and working with experienced and responsible armorers, tragedies like the one on the set of “Rust” can be prevented.
The plea from Gutierrez-Reed serves as a wake-up call for the film industry to reevaluate its practices and prioritize safety above all else. It is imperative that all individuals involved in handling firearms on set are properly trained and equipped to prevent accidents and protect the lives of those working in the industry.
