Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit over ‘Rust’ shooting dismissed

Written: July 31, 2025, 16:00 U.S. Eastern Time

A New Mexico judge has dismissed Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit claiming malicious prosecution and civil rights violations related to the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust. While the dismissal halts current legal proceedings, Baldwin’s legal team indicated the case may be refiled soon.

Case dismissed due to inactivity

The ruling, made public Wednesday, dismissed Baldwin’s lawsuit without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled later. The court cited lack of significant action in the case, which had been filed earlier this year in state district court.

Baldwin’s lead attorney, Luke Nikas, downplayed the dismissal, calling it a procedural issue rather than a meaningful legal defeat.

“We have been in good-faith settlement discussions with the parties to the lawsuit and will be refiling promptly if those discussions are not favorably resolved,” Nikas said in a statement to the Associated Press.

The lawsuit, originally filed by Baldwin, targeted a number of New Mexico officials, including special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, and three investigators from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. The county board of commissioners was also named as a defendant.

Background: The fatal ‘Rust’ shooting

The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, at the Rust film set, located on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Baldwin was rehearsing a scene when a firearm he was holding discharged, fatally wounding cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, and injuring director Joel Souza.

Baldwin has consistently claimed that he did not pull the trigger, stating instead that he pulled back the hammer and the gun discharged on its own. The revolver, a Colt .45, was supposed to be loaded with dummy rounds.

Hutchins died shortly after the shooting, which took place during a rehearsal. Her death shocked the film industry and sparked national debates on safety protocols for firearms on film sets.

Prosecution complications and dropped charges

In early 2023, Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter, a charge that was later dropped following concerns about withheld evidence. During the trial, it was revealed that a man had delivered potentially related ammunition to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office months earlier. This development cast doubt on the integrity of the investigation.

The case unraveled further when Baldwin’s defense team alleged that prosecutors and investigators had intentionally withheld key evidence. This led to the court dismissing the criminal charges against him.

Baldwin’s subsequent lawsuit alleged that he had been defamed and wrongfully targeted for political or professional reasons, accusing prosecutors and investigators of acting out of personal interest rather than in pursuit of justice.

Ongoing civil litigation

Though Baldwin’s malicious prosecution suit has been dismissed for now, civil litigation connected to the Rust shooting is ongoing.

Baldwin and other producers of the film are being sued in New Mexico state court by Hutchins’ parents and younger sister, who claim emotional distress and loss of companionship. Court records show Baldwin was scheduled to be deposed in May 2025, but the deposition was postponed with no new date yet confirmed.

The family’s separate lawsuit adds a further layer of complexity to the legal aftermath of the tragedy, which continues to unfold nearly four years after the incident.

Baldwin reflects on legal ordeal

In a recent interview with the Associated Press at San Diego Comic-Con International, Baldwin said he was still processing the abrupt end to the criminal trial. He called the experience “surreal” and said that life has improved since the charges were dropped.

“It was hard to believe what happened that day in court,” Baldwin said. “But this past year has been far better than the few that came before it.”

The actor has resumed public appearances and returned to work, but the Rust shooting continues to shadow his professional and personal life.

What comes next?

Baldwin’s legal team has 30 days from the date of the judge’s ruling to file a motion seeking reinstatement of the lawsuit. If negotiations with the state do not lead to a resolution, Baldwin is expected to refile his complaint.

Meanwhile, the New Mexico courts, Santa Fe law enforcement, and Baldwin’s legal team remain under scrutiny for how the case has been handled—particularly in regard to transparency and accountability.

Despite the legal complexities, Baldwin and other key figures involved in the case remain publicly committed to justice for Halyna Hutchins, whose death has led to increased calls for reform in film production safety protocols across the United States.