Legal Battle Continues for actor Alec Baldwin After Shooting Incident

The legal fallout from the tragic 2021 shooting on the set of Rust is far from over, as new developments suggest actor Alec Baldwin may still have to defend himself in court, this time in a civil case.

A judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by Serge Svetnoy, a lighting technician who was present during the incident, can proceed to trial. Svetnoy alleges that negligence on the part of Baldwin and the film’s production team contributed to the fatal shooting that shocked the film industry.

The incident occurred during a rehearsal in New Mexico, when a prop gun held by Baldwin discharged a live round.

The bullet fatally struck cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. The tragedy sparked widespread concern over safety standards on film sets.

In his lawsuit, Svetnoy claims he was standing close to Hutchins at the time and that the bullet narrowly missed him. He argues that proper safety procedures were not followed and is seeking damages for emotional distress and negligence.ALSO READ: Video: Alec Baldwin Gives First Interview After Shooting On 'Rust' Set

Presiding over the case, Maurice Leiter allowed key elements of the lawsuit to move forward, including claims of negligence and emotional harm. However, the judge dismissed an assault claim included in the filing.

If both sides fail to reach an agreement out of court, the case is expected to head to trial, with a tentative date already set for October.

This latest development follows a separate criminal case against Baldwin that was dismissed in 2024. The court ruled that prosecutors had failed to properly disclose potentially important evidence to the defense—specifically a batch of ammunition that could have been relevant to the case. Because of that ruling, the charges were dropped permanently.

Despite the dismissal of criminal charges, civil litigation has continued to unfold. Baldwin and the film’s producers had previously reached a settlement with Hutchins’ family, but other parties involved in the production are still seeking accountability through the courts.

Meanwhile, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to prison in 2024 for her role in the incident.

As the civil case moves forward, it underscores ongoing questions about responsibility, safety protocols, and accountability in film production, issues that continue to resonate across Hollywood long after the cameras stopped rolling on Rust.