A judge in New Mexico has settled the terms of a wrongful death lawsuit brought against Alec Baldwin for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins.
Hutchins died as the result of a shooting on the Santa Fe set of the Western Rust on Oct. 21, 2021. Her family sued the film’s producers including Baldwin, who held the gun that was involved in the shooting.
District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid announced the details of the settlement would remain sealed from the public to protect the beneficiary, Hutchins’ son, Andros, who was nine at the time of his mother’s death.
“What is driving my decision is really the interests of the minor child. And that is one of the very most powerful reasons to seal a matter,” said Biedscheid during a videoconference on April 17, per AP News.
Only the Rust producers who were named as defendants in the lawsuit will be permitted to have knowledge of the terms of the settlement.
Baldwin and weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed are both also facing criminal charges related to the shooting. Both have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and have pleaded not guilty. Evidentiary hearings for the case are expected to begin in May, per USA Today.
Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, saying the gun went off without his assistance while he pointed at the cinematographer. In addition to striking Hutchins, the bullet injured director Joel Souza.
“I didn’t pull the trigger,” he said in an interview with ABC News after the incident. “I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger at them. Never.”
Baldwin and Hutchins’ family announced in October of 2022 that they had reached a settlement.
“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,” said Matthew Hutchins, the cinematographer’s husband, in a statement obtained by Deadline.
Hutchins disclosed he would join the project when it resumed filming as an executive producer.
“I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin),” he said. “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.”
At least five other civil lawsuits relating to the shooting and Hutchins’ death are still pending.
