Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin will be charged with involuntary manslaughter for mistakenly firing a gunshot that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie ‘Rust’.

“Actor and producer Alec Baldwin and armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will each be charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter,” a statement by Santa Fe’s District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said. “After a thorough review of the evidence… I have determined that there is sufficient evidence.”

“On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice,” stressed Ms Carmack-Alvies.

Mr Baldwin was rehearsing his role for ‘Rust’ when he shot at the cinematographer at a ranch close to Santa Fe, New Mexico in October 2021.

He had denied culpability for the killing, arguing he was not aware the gun given to him carried live rounds.

“Someone is ​responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me,” Mr Baldwin defended himself in an interview last year.

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was in charge of maintaining the firearms on the set of the movie, would similarly be charged with involuntary manslaughter alongside Mr Baldwin.

The assistant director of ‘Rust’, Dave Halls, who gave Mr Baldwin a loaded gun, chose to take a plea agreement in exchange for a suspended sentence and a six-month probationary period.

“If any one of these three people — Alec Baldwin, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed or David Halls — had done their job, Halyna Hutchins would be alive today,” asserted Andrea Reeb, the special prosecutor appointed by the district attorney for the matter.

The prosecutor added, “It’s that simple. The evidence clearly shows a pattern of criminal disregard for safety on the ‘Rust’ film set. In New Mexico, there is no room for film sets that don’t take our state’s commitment to gun safety and public safety seriously.”