Alec Baldwin Sued For Negligence In The Wake Of Fatal 'Rust' Shooting

Alec Baldwin was sued by Serge Svetnoy, the chief electrician on the "Rust" set, in the wake of the fatal shooting.

Svetnoy is coming after Baldwin, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, assistant director David Halls and others over the fatal shooting on the set of "Rust" that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, according to Entertainment Tonight. The lighting technician claimed that Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were negligent on the set. He claimed to have suffered emotional distress because he was also nearly hit by the bullet.

"[Baldwin] owed a duty to [me] and other crew members and actors on the ‘Rust’ set to handle the Colt Revolver provided to him by defendant Halls with reasonable care and diligence for the safety of ‘Rust’ cast and crew," a part of the lawsuit read.

In his filing, Svetnoy said it was Baldwin's responsibility to double-check the Colt revolver and handle it like it was loaded and not point it to anyone. He also pointed out that Halls should have ensured that the prop gun did not contain live ammunition.

In the scene Baldwin rehearsed, the 63-year-old star was supposed to draw the gun and point it to the camera. However, he should not have pulled the trigger. For Svetnoy, the production failed to keep the workers safe on the set.

He added that the production hired an insufficient number of crew members to allegedly save money. The additional crew could have helped handle the props and firearms. He also alleged that the production violated the industry norms by declining requests for a weapons training day. He also criticized the target practice with cans that took place shortly before the tragedy calling it "outrageous."

Svetnoy is claiming that he has since endured mental trauma and is demanding unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Meanwhile, Juan Rios, the public information officer for the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office, told New York Post last month that the potential for criminal charges over the incident "hasn't been ruled out." He urged the crew members who were present on set to come forward with whatever information they have.

Hutchins' family hasn't filed any charges against Baldwin. His dad Anatoly Androsovych said in his statement that he didn't blame her death on the actor.

"We still can't believe Halyna is dead, and her mother is going out of her mind with grief," he wrote, according to Deadline. "But I don't hold Alec Baldwin responsible."