Alec Baldwin 'distracted and talking on his cell phone' during weapons training: armorer

Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust film armorer charged with involuntary manslaughter alongside actor and producer Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021, has said the film's star was "distracted and talking on his cell phone" during training.

The UK Times reports that Gutierrez-Reed told investigators the 64-year-old actor was "distracted and talking on his cell phone to his family during the training" that would have instructed him on handling weapons on set.

On Monday, Baldwin and Gutierez-Reed were each formally charged with two felony counts of involuntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act.

The Times reports, "According to the statement of probable cause for prosecuting Baldwin, there was no need for him to fire the .45 long Colt caliber revolver during rehearsals." The document states the actor could have been using a replica gun for rehearsal.

"The first rule of gun safety is never to point a gun at someone you don’t intend on shooting," the statement of probable cause says.

"This reckless deviation from known standards and practice and protocol directly caused the fatal shooting," the document adds.

New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies said in a statement in early January announcing her office's intent to file charges, "a thorough review of the evidence and the laws of the state of New Mexico" warranted the charges.

"On my watch, no one is above the law, and everyone deserves justice," Carmack-Altwies added.

Gutierrez-Reed had been accused of mishandling weapons on the Rust film set in Bonanza City, New Mexico prior to the fatal shooting of Hutchins. Complaints also alleged that she and her assistants had been playing with the firearms on the set and using them for target practice.

Baldwin launched a lawsuit in November of 2022 against several crew members for recklessness and dereliction of duty. Gutierrez-Reed, Assistant Director Dave Halls, Prop Master Sarah Zachry, and Seth Kenney, the gun supplier were named in the suit.

The involuntary manslaughter charge comes with a maximum sentence of 18 months and involuntary manslaughter in the commission of a lawful act could send Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed to jail for a maximum of five years.