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Open Chronicle | With Agencies
Los Angeles — A U.S. judge has ruled that a civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin over the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of the film Rust can proceed to trial, marking a new legal chapter in one of Hollywood’s most tragic on-set incidents in recent memory.
The decision allows key claims of negligence, emotional distress, and punitive damages to move forward, while dismissing an assault allegation against the actor.
Case Stems From Fatal On-Set Shooting
The lawsuit arises from the October 21, 2021, incident at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed, and director Joel Souza was injured after a prop firearm discharged during rehearsal.
Baldwin has maintained that he was unaware that the weapon contained live ammunition and that he was following instructions at the time.
Lawsuit Filed by Crew Member
The civil case was brought by Serge Svetnoy, a gaffer on the production, who claims he narrowly avoided being struck and has suffered severe emotional distress as a result of the incident.
Svetnoy alleges that unsafe conditions on set, including cost-cutting measures and lapses in safety protocols, contributed to the tragedy. He argues that Baldwin, along with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and other producers, acted with disregard for the risks involved.
Judge Allows Key Claims to Proceed
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maurice Leiter ruled that a jury could reasonably find that Baldwin’s actions contributed to emotional distress.
The judge allowed claims related to negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress to proceed, including the possibility of punitive damages. However, the assault claim was dismissed due to a lack of evidence that Baldwin intended harm.
In his ruling, Leiter stated that a jury could conclude Baldwin acted recklessly by pointing a firearm toward others during the rehearsal.
Legal History and Next Steps
The civil case follows earlier criminal proceedings that were ultimately dismissed in 2024. At the time, the court sided with Baldwin’s legal team, citing issues with how evidence had been handled by prosecutors.
If no settlement is reached between the parties, the civil trial is scheduled to begin on October 12.
Industry Impact
The Rust shooting has had lasting repercussions across the film industry, intensifying scrutiny over on-set safety practices, particularly regarding the use of firearms.
The outcome of the upcoming trial could further shape accountability standards for actors and producers involved in high-risk productions.