The key question she's confronting is the need to clarify how a live bullet found its way onto the set of "Rust," leading to the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Failure to provide a satisfactory explanation may result in additional charges for Gutierrez-Reed.
From Variety:
The prosecutor in the “Rust” case offered a “favorable” outcome last fall to armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed if she would help explain how live rounds made it onto the film’s set.
But the offer came with a warning that if she refused, she would be hit with additional charges.
Gutierrez Reed is set to go on trial next month in Santa Fe, N.M., for the death of Halyna Hutchins, the “Rust” cinematographer. She faces up to three years in prison if convicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence.
Hutchins was killed in Oct. 2021 while preparing to film a scene with Alec Baldwin, who was holding a gun that fired a live bullet. Gutierrez Reed loaded the gun, which was supposed to contain only dummy rounds.
Several other live rounds were also recovered. During the investigation, a detective asked Gutierrez Reed why there would be live ammo on set.
“I have no idea,” she said at the time.
Investigators have still not determined where the live rounds came from.
It's quite peculiar that Gutierrez-Reed can't provide a clear explanation for how a live bullet made its way onto the set. Given that it falls under her responsibility to manage such matters, one would expect a straightforward answer to this question.
It seems like she might be attempting to conceal something, possibly her own incompetence.
