Malicious prosecution lawsuit by Alec Baldwin in ‘Rust’ shooting moves to federal court
October 22, 2025
A lawsuit by actor Alec Baldwin alleging malicious prosecution in the 2021 fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of a Western movie has been reinstated and moved to federal court. Wednesday’s change of venue raises the stakes in Baldwin’s conflict with prosecutors. Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer for “Rust,” was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on a movie set outside Santa Fe in October 2021 when the revolver went off, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. A charge of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin was dismissed at trial in 2024 on allegations authorities withheld evidence from the defense.