Alec Baldwin sued by three ‘Rust’ crew members for ‘blast injuries’ during shooting: “She watched in shock”
Three “Rust” crew members filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers on Monday, claiming they suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the film’s cinematographer’s death.
The three crew members were at the church building at the Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, when Baldwin’s revolver discharged, striking cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Baldwin has denied pressing the trigger, but prosecutors have charged him with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly shooting the weapon while pointing it at Hutchins.
The plaintiffs in the new claim are dolly operator Ross Addiego, set costumer Doran Curtin, and key grip Reese Price. The suit claims that all three were in close proximity to Baldwin when the gun was fired, resulting in “blast injuries” from the loud sound of the shooting.
Hutchins, according to the lawsuit, fell right in front of Curtin.
“She watched in shock as Hutchins grabbed at her abdomen,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff Curtin put her hands on Hutchins’ stomach, trying to find the source of Hutchins’ pain and figure out what was going on. As the chaos continued, Plaintiff Curtin was ushered out of the church. Once outside, she collapsed from the effects of the blast and the shock of the shooting.”
The lawsuit also claims that the producers cut corners by hiring persons who had previously been the subject of safety concerns, such as David Halls, the first assistant director. The lawsuit also accuses the producers of employing armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed despite her inexperience to achieve a “rapid and cheap production.”
Baldwin is accused of failing to pay attention during weapons training, failing to check that the gun was not loaded with a live bullet, and discharging the round.
