Forensic and Medical Investigator report findings revealed for on-set ‘Rust’ shooting

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released the final medical investigator and forensics report from their probe into the on-set shooting that occurred while filming a western movie called ‘Rust’ starring Alec Baldwin last year.

Baldwin, who was also a producer for the film, was the one who was handling the firearm on set when it discharged and shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchinson during filming at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Bonanza City, New Mexico in October last year. Baldwin has publicly denied any wrongdoing, saying the trigger was not pulled and the gun accidentally discharged.

During a December interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin stated, “The trigger wasn’t pulled. I didn’t pull the trigger.” 

The FBI’s forensics investigation revealed the gun could not have been fired without the trigger being pulled while the gun was cocked. “Accidental discharge testing determined that the firearm used in the shooting — a .45 Colt (.45 Long Colt) caliber F.lli Pietta single-action revolver — could not have fired without the trigger being pulled,” according to the report. 

Baldwin’s attorney Luke Nikas claims the findings of the report are being “misconstrued,” and told CNN “The gun fired in testing only one time — without having to pull the trigger — when the hammer was pulled back and the gun broke in two different places. The FBI was unable to fire the gun in any prior test, even when pulling the trigger, because it was in such poor condition.”

The FBI also released the results of the medical investigator’s report, which showed Hutchinson’s death was conclusively caused by a gunshot wound to her chest.

“Death was caused by a gunshot wound of the chest,” the report, obtained by ABC News, reads. “Review of available law enforcement reports showed no compelling demonstration that the firearm was intentionally loaded with live ammunition on set. Based on all available information, including the absence of obvious intent to cause harm or death, the manner of death is best classified as accident.”