'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed released from prison on parole
Movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has been released on parole.
Gutierrez-Reed, sentenced to 18 months in prison in April 2024, was approved for release by New Mexico's Parole Board on May 23, according to a copy of the parole certificate obtained by Paste BN.
Per the certificate, the former armorer's parole is set to expire on May 23, 2026, provided that it's not extended by an "act of delinquency or revocation." Gutierrez-Reed was instructed to report to Bullhead City, Arizona, immediately following her release to meet with her parole officer.
Gutierrez-Reed, who worked on the Western film co-written by and starring Alec Baldwin, was found guilty in March 2024 for her involvement in the October 2021 death of Hutchins, who was fatally shot when Baldwin's gun discharged during rehearsals. Hutchins was 42.
The jury determined that Gutierrez-Reed had erroneously loaded a live round into a revolver that Baldwin was using on the set in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Jurors found Gutierrez-Reed not guilty on a second charge of tampering with evidence, stemming from allegations that she handed a small bag of possible narcotics to another crew member after the shooting to avoid detection.
At her sentencing hearing, Gutierrez-Reed made a statement before the court, saying her "heart aches" for Hutchins' family, friends and the film industry at large. The armorer requested the judge sentence her to probation.
"I am saddened by the way the media sensationalized our traumatic tragedy and portrayed me as a complete monster, which has actually been the total opposite of what's in my heart," she said.
"Rust" was released in theaters on May 2 after premiering at the Polish film festival Camerimage last fall. Filmed on a budget of $8 million, the film earned just $26,831 at the box office worldwide.
Contributing: KiMi Robinson and Taijuan Moorman