NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – According to Alec Baldwin’s legal team, the involuntary manslaughter charge against the actor will be dropped. However, we don’t know if prosecutors could refile charges against him. As of Friday, Apr. 21, the case has been dismissed without prejudice. According to court documents, the investigation is active and ongoing.

Baldwin’s attorneys issued the following statement:

“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident.” 

Attorneys for Alec Baldwin, Luke Nikas & Alex Spiro

Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” in October 2021. The actor was rehearsing a scene in front of a camera when a gun he was handling fired, hitting Hutchins and the film’s director Joel Souza. Hutchins died shortly after the shooting while Souza survived his injuries.

Baldwin was facing an involuntary manslaughter charge. In February, prosecutors downgraded certain charges against him, removing a firearm enhancement penalty. The enhancement charge would have added an additional five-year minimum sentence on top of everything else.

The film’s armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is still facing involuntary manslaughter.

There is a status hearing scheduled for Friday for both cases.

Thursday night the special prosecutors in the case sent this statement:

Over the last few days and in preparation for the May 3, 2023, preliminary hearing, new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis in the case against Alexander “Alec” Rae Baldwin, III. Consequently, we cannot proceed under the current time constraints and on the facts and evidence turned over by law enforcement in its existing form. We therefore will be dismissing the involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Baldwin to conduct further investigation. This decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled. Our follow-up investigation will remain active and on-going.
Charges against Hannah Gutierrez-Reed remain unchanged.

Kari T. Morrissey and Jason J. Lewis, Special Prosecutors