Three crew members on the set of Rust are suing actor Alec Baldwin and others over the death of the film’s cinematographer.
Ross Addiego, Doran Curtin and Reese Price say they suffered anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after the Hollywood actor’s gun. Alec Baldwin he killed a cinematographer Halina Hutchins filming in October 2021.
The lawsuit says the crew members were near Baldwin when Ms. Hutchins was shot and that they all suffered from blast injuries.
Jacob G Vigil, attorney for the trio, said: “Producing the gun western required an experienced firearms expert and safety-minded leadership.
“Rust had neither.
“Instead, the producers hired an inexperienced arsenal and installed leaders with histories of security breaches.
“Multiple complaints from crew members about dangerous conditions, including the discharge of firearms, lack of rehearsals and denial of dedicated arming days, were ignored while cast and crew were allowed to handle firearms without proper training.
“Many crew members quit the film in response to leadership inaction.”
Halyna Hutchins was photographed in 2017
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The defendants named in the lawsuit – Baldwin, Rust Movie Productions and El Dorado Pictures – “cut corners and ignored safety rules,” Mr. Vigil said, adding that they “put Rust’s quick and cheap production ahead of its safety cast and crew”.
Also among the complaints are accusations that Baldwin was not paying attention during weapons training, that he failed to make sure the gun was not loaded with a live bullet and that he discharged the round.
Baldwin denied pulling the trigger.
Several other lawsuits have been filed over the incident, including one by Ms. Hutchins Matthew’s widow, her parents and her sister.
Last week, Baldwin pleaded not guilty to two counts of manslaughter on the death of Ms. Hutchins.
He will then face a preliminary hearing on a yet-to-be-determined date that will determine whether the case goes to trial.
The Santa Fe district attorney’s office recently rejected a firearm enhancement to the charge, which would have made the crime punishable by a mandatory five years in prison.