Alec Baldwin Manslaughter Charge Downgraded In Fatal 'Rust' Shooting: Reports

SANTA FE, NM — Prosecutors have dropped the firearms enhancement to the involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin, in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of "Rust," Fox Digital first reported.

First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies filed court papers to do so on Monday, according to documents obtained by the outlet. A DA spokeswoman to the outlet that it was to "avoid further litigious distractions by Mr. Baldwin and his attorneys."

"The prosecution's priority is securing justice, not securing billable hours for big-city attorneys," she said.

Baldwin would have faced a mandatory five years in jail had he been convicted of the involuntary manslaughter charge with firearms enhancement, but now the faces a maximum of 18 months, according to the outlet.

Earlier this month, attorneys for Baldwin argued the enhancement was "unconstitutional," saying that the DA's office charged him in error under a version of the statute that did not exist on the date of the shooting, according to the outlet.

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Baldwin, along with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins on the film’s Santa Fe County set in January.

The announcement was the culmination of over a yearlong investigation into the shooting of Hutchins. She was killed by a bullet fired from a prop gun wielded by Baldwin while the actor and crew were working to set up filming positions on the set of the Western.

"Rust" will resume production this spring, with Baldwin set to return, People reported.

Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, will be among at least four original crew members on also set to return, and Hutchins' widower, Matthew, will join the production as an executive producer, alongside Academy Award-nominated producer Grant Hill, the outlet reported.

Baldwin is a Long Island native with roots in Massapequa.

He has homes in New York City and East Hampton.