In a shocking turn of events, a grand jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico, indicted actor Alec Baldwin on Friday on an involuntary manslaughter charge related to the fatal shooting during a rehearsal on the set of the movie “Rust” in 2021. The incident resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza. The revived case comes months after special prosecutors received a new analysis of the gun involved, leading to the decision to present the case before a grand jury.

Baldwin, who is also a co-producer on “Rust,” was pointing a gun at Hutchins during a rehearsal when the firearm discharged, killing her and injuring Souza. Baldwin has maintained that he pulled back the hammer but did not pull the trigger, insisting that the gun fired unexpectedly.

The involuntary manslaughter charge puts Baldwin at risk of prison time, marking a significant legal challenge for the seasoned actor with a career spanning nearly four decades. Baldwin’s defense attorneys, Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro, have indicated that they intend to vigorously contest the charge, expressing their anticipation for their day in court.

The indictment provides prosecutors with two alternative standards for pursuing involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin. One is based on the negligent use of a firearm, while the other alleges felony misconduct “with total disregard or indifference for the safety of others.”

The secrecy surrounding the grand jury proceedings has fueled speculation, with two crew members identified as witnesses seen at the courthouse. One was present during the fatal shot, while another had walked off the set the day before due to safety concerns.

The decision to charge Baldwin comes after prosecutors dismissed an involuntary manslaughter charge against him in April, citing the possibility that the gun used may have been modified and malfunctioned. However, a new analysis of the firearm, relying on replacement parts to reassemble it, led special prosecutors to reconsider their stance.

The weapons supervisor on the movie set, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, has already pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering. Her trial is scheduled to begin in February. Additionally, assistant director and safety coordinator David Halls pleaded no contest to unsafe handling of a firearm last March, receiving a suspended sentence of six months of probation.

Legal experts suggest that prosecutors will need to present more than just ballistics evidence to establish Baldwin’s broader responsibility and legal duty in handling the gun on the set. The actor’s earlier denial of pulling the trigger will likely be a focal point in the upcoming trial.

The 2021 shooting led to a series of civil lawsuits, including wrongful death claims filed by Hutchins’ family, accusing the defendants of lax safety standards. Baldwin and other defendants have disputed these allegations. The production company, Rust Movie Productions, paid a $100,000 fine to state workplace safety regulators, highlighting failures in adhering to industry protocols.

As the legal drama unfolds, the “Rust” movie shooting has already left a lasting impact on the industry. The filming resumed in Montana last year, with an agreement that made Matthew Hutchins, the widower of the deceased cinematographer, an executive producer.

In the coming months, all eyes will be on the courtroom as Alec Baldwin faces the involuntary manslaughter charge, and the details surrounding the tragic incident are brought to light once again.