Prosecutors in the US state of New Mexico have brought charges against actor Alec Baldwin (64) after the fatal shooting of a camerawoman during a western film shoot. The agency officially filed the lawsuit in the Santa Fe court.

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is also on trial. Both are charged with negligent homicide. In the case of a guilty verdict with aggravating circumstances, there is a risk of up to five years in prison. In mid-January, the public prosecutor's office had already announced that it would file a lawsuit.

Camerawoman Halyna Hutchins was fatally injured while filming the western "Rust" at a Santa Fe film ranch in October 2021. Baldwin, who served as lead actor and producer on the film, was holding a gun in rehearsal for a scene when a shot went off. Director Joel Souza was hit in the shoulder by the projectile and injured in the incident. Investigations revealed that the Colt had a real bullet lodged in it. Baldwin had always denied responsibility for the fatal accident.