Alec Baldwin hit with another 'Rust' lawsuit: What we know about all the legal challenges

Three crew members who worked on the set of "Rust" have filed suit against Alec Baldwin and the film's producers, the most recent in a slew of legal challenges related to the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

In the suit filed Tuesday, dolly operator Ross Addiego, set costumer Doran Curtin and key grip Reese Price maintain they all were standing close to Baldwin when his prop gun, which contained a live bullet, went off during a rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch movie set near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The trio say they suffered "blast injuries" when the gun suddenly discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The suit, provided to USA TODAY by Vigil Law Firm of Albuquerque, notes that the trio is asking for compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Jacob Vigil said in a statement Tuesday that Baldwin repeatedly disregarded safety issues on the set, "endangering the entire cast and crew, tragically killing one, and injuring many others, including our clients."

Here's a chronological look back at all the legal action in this movie tragedy.

What happened on the set of 'Rust'?

"Rust" star and producer Baldwin made his way to a small church on a Western movie set near Santa Fe on Oct. 21, 2021. Once inside, he was handed a firearm by assistant director Dave Halls, who yelled "cold gun" to confirm the weapon was safe.

During rehearsal, cinematographer Hutchins, who was behind her camera opposite Baldwin, asked the actor to simulate the hand motion he would use in the scene. When he did that, the Colt .45 suddenly went off, its lone live bullet injuring Souza and killing Hutchins. Production for "Rust" immediately shut down but is said to resume soon, reportedly in Montana.

After more than a year of investigations, New Mexico prosecutors have charged Baldwin and "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a penalty of up to 18 months in jail.

How many lawsuits have been filed in the 'Rust' incident?

More than a half-dozen individuals – ranging from "Rust" production employees to Baldwin himself – have filed lawsuits as a result of the shooting, which brought intense scrutiny to Hollywood's use of real weapons on set.

To date, reports suggest only one of those suits has been settled: the one brought by Matthew Hutchins, the cinematographer's widower, on behalf of himself and the couple's young son, Andros. One of the settlement agreements resulted in Hutchins being named as one of the film's new producers.

What is the timeline of 'Rust' lawsuits?

The first lawsuit was filed against Baldwin and producers a few weeks after the 2021 incident by "Rust" gaffer (or set electrician) Serge Svetnoy. He was near Hutchins when she was shot, and he cradled his friend as paramedics tried to save her life.

Svetnoy's suit accused several people of failing to properly inspect the gun to make sure it did not contain live rounds.

About a week later, script supervisor Mamie Mitchell filed her own suit against the film's star and producers. She was standing a few feet from Baldwin when the gun discharged. "This violent tragedy has taken away the joy of my life," she said during a news conference announcing her suit.

In February 2022, "Rust" set medic Cheryln Schaefer filed a suit in which she said the trauma of the incident has left her unable to work. Halls, Gutierrez-Reed, property master Sarah Zachry and firearm supplier Seth Kenney have all been named in the suit, along with producers and the Bonanza Creek Ranch facility itself.

Also in February 2022, Matthew Hutchins filed his suit, which was settled in October. "All of us believe Halyna's death was a terrible accident," Hutchins said. "I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna's final work."

Alec Baldwin filed countersuit against 'Rust' producers

In November 2022, Baldwin filed his own countersuits against four production members in an effort to "clear his name," according to his lawyer.

"More than anyone else on that set, Baldwin has been wrongfully viewed as the perpetrator of this tragedy," Baldwin's attorney, Luke Nikas, said at the time. "By these cross-claims, Baldwin seeks to clear his name and hold cross-defendants accountable for their misconduct.”

The four defendants Baldwin's cross-suit named were armorer Gutierrez-Reed, Zachry, Kenney, and Halls. All have denied culpability; and Halls reached a plea agreement with New Mexico prosecutors that will spare him jail time.

Halyna Hutchins' Ukrainian family members file suit

On Feb. 9, attorney Gloria Allred called a news conference in Los Angeles to announce a new lawsuit against Baldwin and Rust Productions on behalf of Hutchins' mother, father and sister, who reside in the cinematographer's native Ukraine.

The suit seeks damages for the family members, who relied on Hutchins for financial assistance and, ultimately, perhaps a safe passage to the U.S. from their war-torn homeland, Allred said.

What's the latest in the 'Rust' case?

After nearly a year and a half of investigations, New Mexico prosecutors charged Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed in early February with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. That charge is used when a death occurs as a result of negligence as compared to malicious intent.

Initially, those charges carried penalties of up to five years in jail. But Baldwin's attorneys successfully argued that prosecutors were incorrectly relying on a weapons-related law that went into effect after the shooting. On Feb. 20, prosecutors announced that the charges would be downgraded to a maximum of 18 months of jail time.

On Feb. 23, Baldwin, through his attorneys, pleaded not guilty while waiving an appearance before the judge in the case. The next day, Gutierrez-Reed appeared via video for the hearing and also pleaded not guilty.

Revisit 'Rust' coverage:

• Gun safety protocols are rigid: This 'should never have happened.'

• FBI report on Alec Baldwin's gun: Weapon couldn't have fired without 'pull of the trigger,' officials say

• Max fine for 'Rust' set: Gun safety failures in Alec Baldwin shooting drive penalty

• Even after first year, few answers: The 'Rust' shooting case dragged from its onset

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alec Baldwin sued by 'Rust' crew: Explaining the shooting lawsuits