Halyna Hutchins's parents sue Alec Baldwin over Rust shooting

Actor was charged with involuntary manslaughter last month

Alec Baldwin outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico, after he was questioned about a shooting on the set of the film 'Rust', which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. AP

A distraught Alec Baldwin lingers in the car park outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. AP

The entrance to the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

The entrance to the Bonanza Creek Ranch used for film shoots. AP

A vehicle from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office exiting the set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Media crews outside the gate of the film set of 'Rust'. Reuters

Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of 'Rust'. AP

Journalists outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico. AP

Security guards block the Bonanza Creek Ranch. AP

The Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed, one day after the incident. Photo: Roberto E Rosales / Albuquerque Journal

A sign points to the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe. AFP

A security guard speaks with a compliance officer from the State of New Mexico at the Bonanza Creek Ranch where 'Rust' was being filmed. AFP

Security guards at the entrance of the 'Rust' film set. AP

A vigil in Albuquerque, New Mexico, held in the honour of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. AP

A candle bearing Halyna Hutchins's name is placed among others during a vigil in her honour. AP

A large crowd of movie industry workers and New Mexico residents attend the candlelight vigil. AP

New Mexico residents at the vigil. AP

Members of the local film community mourn the loss of Halyna Hutchins. Reuters

Film industry worker Jake Extine pays his respects. AP

A sign calling for workplace safety at the vigil. Reuters

People light candles to honour Halyna Hutchins. AP

The parents and sister of Halyna Hutchins are suing actor Alec Baldwin and others over the cinematographer's 2021 death in New Mexico during the filming of Rust, the family's lawyer has said.

The announcement on Thursday came after a Santa Fe prosecutor on January 31 charged Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter, accusing him of reckless disregard for safety when a revolver he was holding fired a live round that killed Ms Hutchins and injured Rust director Joel Souza.

Set armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed also was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case.

Baldwin in October settled a separate wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Ms Hutchins's husband Matt Hutchins over the fatal shooting on a film set outside Santa Fe.

Luke Nikas, a lawyer representing Baldwin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under Matt Hutchins's settlement with Baldwin and the producers of Rust, filming of the movie was set to resume in early 2023 with Hutchins serving as executive producer, Baldwin remaining in the lead role of Harland Rust, and Mr Souza directing.

At the time, Matt Hutchins said he had no interest in attributing blame to Baldwin or the Rust producers for the fatal shooting, and called his wife's death “a terrible accident”.

In a 2021 television interview, Baldwin said Ms Hutchins directed him where to point the gun and to cock it. He said the revolver fired when he let go of the hammer and he did not pull the trigger.

“I would never point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger, that was the training that I had,” Baldwin told ABC News.

An FBI forensic test of the reproduction Pietta long Colt .45 revolver found that it functioned “normally” and would not fire without the trigger being pulled.