ALEC Baldwin is heading back to court as a Los Angeles judge has ruled a civil lawsuit against him over the deadly ‘Rust’ shooting can proceed to trial.
The lawsuit was filed by Serge Svetnoy, a crew member who was standing just feet away when Baldwin’s gun fired, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021.
The judge stated a jury could find Baldwin recklessly disregarded the risk of pointing a loaded gun at someone with his finger on the trigger.
Baldwin faces this civil case despite criminal charges being dismissed in July 2024.
Svetnoy’s lawsuit claims there was no reason for a live bullet to be on set and that the presence of live ammo posed a lethal danger to everyone nearby.
The gaffer spent crucial minutes aiding Hutchins after the shooting and later realised how close he came to being hit himself.
The suit also notes Baldwin was not supposed to fire the gun during the scene, which should have contained no live rounds.
Baldwin has maintained in interviews that he did not pull the trigger when the gun discharged.
This civil trial will now examine whether Baldwin’s actions caused emotional distress and negligence on set.
With the criminal case closed, this lawsuit marks a significant legal chapter in the ongoing fallout from the tragedy.
