‘Rust’ Movie Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed Sentenced to 18 Months

Hannah Gutierrez Reed (C) with her attorney Jason Bowles and paralegal Carmella Sisneros during her sentencing hearing in state district court in Santa Fe, N.M., on April 15, 2024. Eddie Moore/The Albuquerque Journal via AP, Pool

The weapons supervisor who was convicted in March on an involuntary manslaughter charge for the fatal shooting by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the film “Rust” was sentenced to 18 months in prison in a New Mexico court on April 15.

Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted by a jury after Halyna Hutchins was killed on set in October 2021. The 18-month sentence was the maximum sentence allowed by law.

Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey urged the judge to impose the maximum prison sentence and described Ms. Gutierrez-Reed’s behavior on the set as “exceptionally reckless.”

The prosecutor told the judge on April 15 that she reviewed nearly 200 calls Ms. Gutierrez-Reed had made from jail over the past month hoping she would take responsibility or express remorse, but she told the judge that moment never came.

“Ms. Gutierrez continues to refuse to accept responsibility for her role in the death of Halyna Hutchins,” Ms. Morrissey said.

Sentencing

During the trial sentencing, loved ones of Ms. Hutchins shared testimonies seeking justice for her death.

Described as a radiant presence, Ms. Hutchins was remembered for her courage, tenacity, and compassion by friends and family, who emphasized the profound impact her loss has had on their lives.

In a bid for leniency during the sentencing phase, defense attorneys emphasized the defendant’s youth.

She faces a separate felony charge for allegedly carrying a firearm into a prohibited area in Santa Fe. Her legal team advocated for alternatives to further jail time, such as conditional discharge, to mitigate the impact on her future prospects and mental well-being.

The Accident and Trial

The tragic incident unfolded on Oct. 21, 2021, during the filming of the movie “Rust,” when Mr. Baldwin was handling a reproduction Colt .45 revolver during rehearsals inside a movie-set church outside Santa Fe.

First Assistant Director David Halls had reportedly handed the weapon to Mr. Baldwin, assuring him it did not contain live ammunition. The firearm discharged, leading to the death of cinematographer Ms. Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

The manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin for his role in the incident have already been dropped twice. However, he is expected to face trial in July after the charges were reinstated.

Lawyers for Ms. Gutierrez-Reed claimed she was being scapegoated for Mr. Baldwin’s alleged failure to follow firearms safety rules, and for a chaotic, low-budget production that ignored industry safety guidelines to save time.

The jury found Ms. Gutierrez-Reed guilty of the accidental shooting death in less than three hours of deliberation in March.

Caden Pearson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.