In a dramatic turn of events, embattled actor Alec Baldwin is now suing prosecutors and investigators over the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western movie *Rust*. Baldwin’s lawsuit, filed in Santa Fe state district court, accuses officials of malicious prosecution, civil rights violations, and defamation, painting himself as the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt.
This latest move comes months after a judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin in July. The actor’s lawsuit targets special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, three sheriff’s office investigators, and the county board of commissioners. Baldwin alleges that these individuals “scapegoated” him for their personal or political gain, disregarding evidence and legal standards in their pursuit of justice.
“Defendants sought at every turn to scapegoat Baldwin for the acts and omissions of others, regardless of the evidence or the law,” the lawsuit declares. Baldwin contends that investigators mishandled critical evidence, including ammunition related to the shooting, which his legal team claims was deliberately hidden in a separate case folder.
The shooting occurred in October 2021 during a rehearsal at a film-set ranch near Santa Fe. Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer, was holding a pistol when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin insists he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger, a claim many firearms experts find implausible.
The tragedy sparked widespread debate over safety standards on Hollywood sets, but it also highlighted deeper issues of accountability. While Baldwin continues to deflect blame, movie weapons supervisor Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and is now serving a maximum 1.5-year sentence.
Baldwin’s lawsuit portrays him as a victim of prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that officials ignored key evidence to target him for publicity. His accusations of defamation and mishandling of evidence add fuel to claims that prosecutors acted recklessly. However, Morrissey, one of the defendants, dismissed Baldwin’s claims as retaliatory, stating, “We look forward to our day in court.”
Critics of Baldwin’s legal strategy see it as a diversionary tactic aimed at shifting public focus away from his own potential negligence as both an actor and a producer on *Rust*. Many have pointed out that safety lapses on the set—including live rounds being present—are ultimately the responsibility of the production team, of which Baldwin was a key member.
While Baldwin resumes his career, including appearances on *Saturday Night Live* and plans for a family reality TV show, the fallout from the *Rust* shooting is far from over. Hutchins’ family continues to seek justice, with lawsuits pending against Baldwin and other producers.
Baldwin’s move to file a lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators raises critical questions about the role of accountability in high-profile cases. Is Baldwin a victim of overzealous prosecution, or is he using his wealth and influence to avoid responsibility? As legal battles continue, the quest for truth in this tragic case remains unresolved.
