(NewsNation) — How did live ammunition find its way onto the set of Alec Baldwin’s Western movie “Rust”?
That’s the central question being asked next week in the trial of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was charged in connection to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Baldwin, an actor and producer for “Rust,” was rehearsing a scene that involved drawing a weapon and pointing it toward the camera when a single round went through Hutchins, fatally wounding her. Director Joul Souza was injured in the shoulder.
Baldwin claimed the gun discharged when he took it out of the holster and denied firing it, while an FBI report stated it could only have fired if the trigger had been pulled.
Involuntary manslaughter charges were filed against Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed. The charges against Baldwin were dropped in April 2023, but a grand jury later indicted him.
Both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against them.
Gutierrez-Reed’s trial begins next Wednesday. The state alleges that Gutierrez-Reed loaded the .45-caliber revolver with at least one live round. Prosecutors say they have photos that show live ammo on set at least a week before the fatal shooting happened.
In addition, the prosecution alleges that the armorer drank alcohol, smoked marijuana and used cocaine during filming — sometimes even on set. Despite her job responsibilities, prosecutors said, Gutierrez-Reed failed to conduct proper safety checks and allowed other members of the crew access to the guns.
However, Gutierrez-Reed says she’s actually a victim of sabotage from other crew members who wanted her fired. She claims they were the ones who actually snuck the live ammo into the box of blanks and dummies that were supposed to be used all along.
The trial is expected to be two weeks long, with testimony from actors, directors, gun handlers and ammunition suppliers.
Baldwin’s trial date has not been set yet.
The Associated Press and NewsNation digital producer Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.