The trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer on the set of the movie “Rust” where a tragic accidental shooting occurred in 2021, has been ongoing and revealing shocking details about the events that led to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza.
Joel Souza, who was wounded in the same shooting incident that claimed the life of Halyna Hutchins, testified in court about his experience of being rushed to the hospital after the shooting. He recalled how he couldn’t believe he had been shot with a real bullet until doctors showed him proof. Despite feeling something hit him, Souza initially refused to believe that a live bullet had struck him, insisting that it was impossible on a movie set.
After much protest, Joel Souza finally accepted the truth when doctors showed him an X-ray of his back with a real bullet lodged underneath his skin. This revelation sheds light on the chaos and confusion that ensued following the tragic shooting on the set of “Rust.”
During the trial, several of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s former coworkers have testified on behalf of the prosecution, painting a picture of her negligence and lack of responsibility in handling firearms and ammunition on set. Line producer Gabrielle Pickle even claimed that she had recommended a system for Hannah to better keep track of the on-set guns, which Hannah allegedly turned down.
The prosecution argues that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s carelessness and failure to properly handle the weapons on set are to blame for the tragic incident that resulted in the death of Halyna Hutchins. On the other hand, Hannah’s lawyers have argued that she was under an immense amount of stress, serving as both armorer and prop assistant for the movie.
As the trial continues, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the series of events that led to the fatal shooting on the set of “Rust.” The outcome of the trial will be closely watched by the industry and the public, as it raises important questions about safety protocols on film sets and the responsibilities of crew members in handling potentially dangerous equipment.
