‘Rust’ weapons supervisor pleads not guilty

Movie set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, right, speaks with a sheriff’s deputy as colleagues stand with her on the set of “Rust,” shortly after the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by Alec Baldwin on Oct. 21, 2021, in New Mexico. (Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office)
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed faces manslaughter in fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin

SANTA FE – The woman who oversaw the use of weapons on the movie set where Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, New Mexico court officials said.

Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed waived her right to an arraignment on the charges in the 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie “Rust," officials said Wednesday.

A state district judge tentatively scheduled a trial for December.

A defense attorney for Gutierrez-Reed has characterized it a tragic accident and says the weapons specialist committed no crime. Prosecutors allege Gutierrez-Reed was negligent in the handling of firearms and ammunition on the set.

“Rust” safety coordinator and assistant director David Halls has pleaded no contest to a charge of unsafe handling of a firearm and received a suspended sentence of six months’ probation.

In April, prosecutors dropped charges against Baldwin, who was pointing a gun at Hutchins when it went off, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza.

The Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, used for the film “Rust.” (Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press)
Movie set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, right, speaks with a sheriff’s deputy as a colleague stands next to her on the set of the western move “Rust” after the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. (Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office)