ENTERTAINMENT

‘Rust’ case file details Alec Baldwin’s texts after deadly shooting

Nov 19, 2022, 10:00 AM
A new trove of information revealed about the shooting on the 'Rust' movie set shows Alec Baldwin q...
FILE - This Oct. 23, 2021 photo, shows the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, N.M., where actor Alec Baldwin pulled the trigger on a prop gun while filming “Rust” and unwittingly killed a cinematographer and injured a director. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Originally Published: 18 NOV 22 19:28 ET

(CNN) — Text messages pulled from Alec Baldwin’s phone in the days and weeks following the deadly shooting while filming the movie “Rust” indicate the actor was concerned the incident was the result of possible sabotage and questioned the Santa Fe Sheriff Department’s ability to properly investigate that angle.

The Baldwin text messages were among a trove of investigative items publicly released by the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Department on Friday in a 551-page document that also contained previously released forensic reports, search warrant affidavits, investigator logs and witness statements.

Lawsuit settled, filming of “Rust” may resume after Alec Baldwin shooting

Baldwin’s phone was turned over months after the fatal October 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal for the movie, which was being filmed near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

According to a supplemental report within the case file, in a December text message thread, Baldwin advised Halyna’s husband Matt Hutchins “Important for you to keep in mind: The Santa Fe Sheriffs office may lack both the skill and the will to properly investigate the sabotage angle. I’m told their agenda is to write it off as an accident and throw it to the civil courts.”

Fatal mistake on movie set was live ammo, says Utah gun expert

“I dismissed the sabotage claim initially. But not know (sic). I hope these NM have the sense to follow it through,” Baldwin continued, telling Matt Hutchins that his attorneys presented “certain anomalies” from the day of the shooting.

Earlier this month, Baldwin filed a lawsuit in California against several individuals associated with the “Rust” film, according to a cross-complaint obtained by CNN.

Baldwin told Matt Hutchins in another text, “the gun WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE FIRED in that camera angle. It was an angle on the gun being drawn and … cut. That set up did not call for the gun to shoot AT ALL. I told him that Halyna and I had something important in common. We both believed the gun was empty.”

In another message, sent two days after the shooting, Baldwin sent a message to his assistant saying, “I have to delete my archive.”

New Mexico fines ‘Rust’ for willful gun safety failures

The report adds: “There is no further details on the meaning of this message.”

“The email is irrelevant to this matter,” Baldwin attorney Luke Nikas told CNN. “Mr. Baldwin was referring to his Twitter archive, which he has long considered deleting. He fully preserved all records related to ‘Rust’ and turned them over to the authorities nearly a year ago.”

In one investigative report released Friday, a detective described Baldwin as cooperative in the chaotic moments after the fatal shooting. Asked by authorities if he would be willing to give a statement, Baldwin reportedly told deputies, “I will do whatever you tell me to do.”

The Sheriff’s full investigative case file has been turned over to the Santa Fe County District Attorney’s Office, who will determine whether to file charges in the case.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Today’s Top Stories

Entertainment

Zuri plays with a pumpkin during Feast With the Beast for Thanksgiving at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lak...
Waverly Golden

Animals at the Hogle Zoo make a smashing entrance for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving Day, Utah's Hogle Zoo animals are making a smashing entrance involving pumpkins and other fun activities.
4 months ago
DOCUTAH Awards...
Devin Oldroyd

Ten films awarded special honors at DOCUTAH 2022

The DOCUTAH International Film Festival, hosted by Utah Tech University, awarded 10 films with special honors in its 2022 season.
4 months ago
rollercoaster lagoon...
Curt Gresseth

Lagoon spokesman explains big price hike for day pass

Lagoon announces Primordial, a new one-of-a-kind interactive rollercoaster, coming in 2023, but with the new ride comes higher season passes.
4 months ago
Taylor Swift reacts to the fiasco that forced Ticketmaster to temporarily stop selling tickets to h...
Frank Pallotta, CNN Business

Taylor Swift: Ticketmaster fiasco ‘excruciating for me’

Taylor Swift spoke out Friday about the ticketing debacle that had fans unable to purchase tickets from Ticketmaster.
4 months ago
Ticketmaster has cancelled sales of tickets to Taylor Swift's upcoming concert tour citing incredib...
Jordan Valinsky, CNN Business

Ticketmaster cancels public sale for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour due to overwhelming demand

The sudden cancellation comes after Ticketmaster said that more than 2 million tickets were sold Tuesday for her upcoming tour — the most ever sold for an artist in a single day.
4 months ago
taylor swift is pictured playing a guitar...
Chris Isidore, CNN Business

Taylor Swift ticket meltdown sparks outrage about Ticketmaster’s power

The Justice Department and many state attorneys general have made similar complaints over the years.
4 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Happy joyful smiling casual satisfied woman learning and communicates in sign language online using...
Sorenson

The best tools for Deaf and hard-of-hearing workplace success

Here are some of the best resources to make your workplace work better for Deaf and hard-of-hearing employees.
Team supporters celebrating at a tailgate party...
Macey's

8 Delicious Tailgate Foods That Require Zero Prep Work

In a hurry? These 8 tailgate foods take zero prep work, so you can fuel up and get back to what matters most: getting hyped for your favorite
christmas decorations candles in glass jars with fir on a old wooden table...
Western Nut Company

12 Mason Jar Gift Ideas for the 12 Days of Christmas [with recipes!]

There are so many clever mason jar gift ideas to give something thoughtful to your neighbors or friends. Read our 12 ideas to make your own!
wide shot of Bear Lake with a person on a stand up paddle board...

Pack your bags! Extended stays at Bear Lake await you

Work from here! Read our tips to prepare for your extended stay, whether at Bear Lake or somewhere else nearby.
young boy with hearing aid...
Sorenson

Accommodations for students who are deaf and hard of hearing

These different types of accommodations for students who are deaf and hard of hearing can help them succeed in school.
Young woman receiving laser treatment...
Form Derm Spa

How facial plastic surgery and skincare are joining forces

Facial plastic surgery is not only about looking good but about feeling good too. The medical team at Form Spa are trained to help you reach your aesthetic outcomes through surgery and through skincare and dermatology, too.
‘Rust’ case file details Alec Baldwin’s texts after deadly shooting