The armourer on the set of the film “Rust” has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for her role in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The incident occurred in October 2021 during a rehearsal when actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop gun that was believed to be loaded with blanks, but instead, a live round was fired, striking and killing Hutchins.

The armourer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was responsible for handling and maintaining the firearms used on set. During the trial, it was revealed that there were multiple safety violations and lapses in protocol, including live ammunition being mixed with blanks and inadequate training for the cast and crew.

Following the tragic accident, Gutierrez Reed was charged with felony involuntary manslaughter. She pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury. In addition to her prison sentence, she will also serve three years of probation and is prohibited from working as an armourer in the film industry.

The sentencing of Gutierrez Reed has sparked conversations about the need for stricter safety regulations on film sets involving firearms. Many in the industry have called for improved training and oversight to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.