Alec Baldwin reaches settlement with family of filmmaker he accidentally shot dead

The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who died in 2021 after being accidentally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust, has reached a settlement with the actor and will drop a wrongful death lawsuit, as reported by both parties in separate statements. Matthew Hutchins, widower of Halyna Hutchins, will become an executive producer on the movie, although details about the settlement have not been disclosed.

Hutchins, 42, died in October in Santa Fe County, New Mexico on the set of the Western movie production. She was accidentally shot by Baldwin with a prop gun that was supposed to be loaded with blank cartridges. Also injured was the film’s director, Joel Souza, 48, who was taken to a Santa Fe hospital and immediately discharged.

Hutchins’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the actor and the film’s producers, alleging numerous violations of industry safety standards and regulations.

“We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed. The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023. I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work,” said Hutchins.

“Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation,” Alec Baldwin’s lawyer, Luke Nikas, said in a statement.