Prosecutors allege in new court documents that Alec Baldwin fired a round into the air at crew members on the set of “Lust,” and have accused the actor of recklessly handling a firearm while filming.
Prosecutors in the New Mexico manslaughter case against the “30 Rock” star said they plan to present evidence at the trial, scheduled to begin July 9, showing that Baldwin had a history of ignoring safety procedures on set, which led to the tragic 2021 shooting death of Halina Hutchins.
Prosecutors argued in Monday’s filing that one of those reckless moments was when Baldwin, 66, aimed his gun and “fired blank rounds at the crew” with his target in his line of sight.
According to court documents, other instances in which Baldwin ignored safety procedures between Oct. 12, 2021 and the day of the shooting included using a gun as a wand, firing the gun after filming had finished in violation of safety regulations, keeping his finger on the trigger during scenes where it was not necessary, forcing gun handler Hannah Gutierrez Reed to rush the loading of his gun, and FaceTimed with his family during firearms training and creating a family video.
Additionally, before filming began, Baldwin, one of the producers and lead actor, “demanded to be assigned the largest gun available,” the lawsuit alleges.
Prosecutors said they have photos and videos of Baldwin to show jurors his disregard for safety rules at the shooting scene.
In one clip, he “is seen messing around with a gun and pulling out a gun when there is no scene in which he does so,” the paper claims. “When he pulls out his gun, the barrel is pointed at another actor.”
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Prosecutors said much of the footage shows Baldwin acting angry and aggressive, including stopping filming to yell and curse at crew members.
“Mr. Baldwin can be seen yelling intermittently throughout the entire attempt to film the scene,” the lawsuit states. “He had complete control over the set by interrupting acting sequences, yelling curses, and rushing other cast and crew members.”
Prosecutors said this “substantial evidence” about Baldwin’s “other conduct” leading up to Hutchins’ death, taken together, shows the incident was not an “accident or negligence” as Baldwin has always maintained.
During a rehearsal on the set of a Western, Baldwin pointed a gun at cinematographer Hutchins, who fired, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty and faces up to a year and a half in prison if convicted.
Gunner Gutierrez Reed, 26, was convicted of the same charges Baldwin now faces and sentenced in April to 18 months in prison.
A video hearing is scheduled for Friday for Baldwin to consider a series of motions for the upcoming trial.
Baldwin’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.
