Washington [US], May 25: Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the armorer convicted in connection with the fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust, has been released on parole after serving 14 months of her 18-month prison sentence. The 28-year-old had been incarcerated at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility and was released on Friday, according to Variety.
Gutierrez Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the tragic incident that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza in October 2021. Authorities have directed her to return to her home in Bullhead City, Arizona.
The shooting occurred during a rehearsal on the Rust set near Santa Fe, New Mexico, when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a firearm that had been mistakenly loaded with a live round. Prosecutors alleged that Gutierrez Reed’s criminal negligence led to the fatal event, citing her failure to identify the live round among dummy ammunition.
The trial earlier this year saw prosecutors presenting evidence of what they described as a pattern of unsafe and unprofessional behavior by Gutierrez Reed on set, including lax enforcement of safety protocols and allowing improper firearm handling by actors. They emphasized that had she shaken the dummy rounds as protocol requires, the absence of the typical rattle in the live round would have been detectable.
Her defense team argued that Gutierrez Reed was overworked, performing duties meant for two people, and had no knowledge that the box of dummy rounds had been contaminated with live ammunition. They pointed to broader production issues and cost-cutting measures as contributing factors to the tragedy.
Despite her release, Gutierrez Reed remains entangled in legal proceedings. Her attorneys have filed an appeal, citing alleged errors by the trial judge. In addition, several civil lawsuits related to the incident are still pending, potentially carrying significant legal and financial consequences.
As part of her parole conditions, Gutierrez Reed is barred from owning or handling firearms, must undergo a mental health evaluation, and is required to secure employment or enroll in educational programs within 45 days.
The Rust shooting sparked widespread scrutiny of on-set safety protocols in the film industry. Alec Baldwin, who held the gun during the incident, also faced involuntary manslaughter charges, but his case was dismissed in 2023 after prosecutors failed to disclose key evidence. Meanwhile, assistant director David Halls, who handled the firearm before the shooting, received six months of unsupervised probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor.
Despite the tragedy, Rust resumed filming and wrapped in Montana. The film saw a limited theatrical release in early May, grossing just $25,000 across 115 theaters.