Seth Kenney, the supplier responsible for providing prop guns to the movie Rust, has filed a lawsuit against Alec Baldwin along with multiple individuals and companies linked to the production. The lawsuit, lodged in New Mexico on October 22, alleges that Kenney’s reputation has been severely damaged following the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming.
Kenney claims the fallout from the incident has made it impossible for him to secure work on other film projects, directly impacting his livelihood in the entertainment industry.
Details on Defendants Named in the Litigation
The suit targets 34 defendants, including Baldwin; Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who served as the convicted armorer on Rust; director Joel Souza; assistant director David Halls; and Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins. Kenney accuses Baldwin of publicly shifting blame away from himself, allegedly collaborating with other parties in media and online platforms to falsely portray Kenney as responsible for the fatal shooting.
The lawsuit states,
“Defendants, individually and collectively, in an effort to distance themselves from the ‘Rust’ criminal investigation and onslaught of negative publicity, conspired to paint Plaintiffs in a nation-wide false light scapegoat smear campaign,”
describing efforts to deflect accountability.
Background on Criminal Proceedings and Investigation
Criminal charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed due to withheld evidence, while Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and subsequently served 14 months in prison. Despite investigations, authorities never conclusively determined how live rounds came to be mixed with blanks on the Rust set, which led to the shooting that killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza.
Conflicting Claims Over Ammunition Supply
Kenney’s lawsuit further asserts that Gutierrez-Reed introduced live .45 Colt rounds mixed with blanks. It alleges those live rounds were from Gutierrez-Reed’s activities on another film, The Old Way, where she reportedly used live ammunition off hours while working as an armorer.
Kenney also pointed out that Gutierrez-Reed had filed her own lawsuit in 2022, accusing him of providing the live rounds, but that case was later dropped. In his conversations with investigators that same year, Kenney admitted he could not recall if he supplied the box of blanks found on the Rust set but acknowledged it was “entirely possible” he had given blanks to Gutierrez-Reed for The Old Way. He maintained however that it remained Gutierrez-Reed’s duty to verify all rounds were safe before use.
Two years later, Kenney reversed this account in court by testifying that the live rounds linked to The Old Way originated not from him but from Gutierrez-Reed’s father, famed film armorer Thell Reed.
Legal Developments and Upcoming Proceedings
Efforts to reach Baldwin’s representatives for comment have been unsuccessful as he continues to face a separate civil lawsuit filed by Hutchins’ mother and sister. Baldwin is scheduled for a deposition regarding that case on November 12.
This new lawsuit from Kenney was first reported by Variety, highlighting the ongoing complications stemming from the Rust tragedy.
Broader Implications for the Industry and Those Involved
The lawsuit underscores the complex and contentious aftermath of the Rust incident, illustrating how blame and legal responsibility remain fiercely disputed. As Kenney seeks to defend his reputation and hold others accountable, the case reflects broader questions about safety, accountability, and trust within film productions that use firearms. With high-profile figures like Baldwin involved, the legal battles are likely to continue shaping industry practices and public perceptions surrounding on-set safety.
