Actor Alec Baldwin will no longer face involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting incident that occurred on the set of “Rust” in 2021. According to a statement from special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis overseeing the case, the decision was made due to “new facts” that have emerged, indicating that the gun used in the shooting had been modified. As a result, investigators will examine the weapon to determine the extent of the modifications, which could have affected how the gun functioned. The prosecutors’ statement also noted that the case against Baldwin could be refiled, and their follow-up investigation will remain active and ongoing.

Halyna Hutchins, the film’s cinematographer, was killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a prop gun being held by Baldwin while rehearsing a scene. Director Joel Souza was also shot and injured. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The charges against “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed remain unchanged, according to the prosecutors’ statement. However, they added that they fully expect Gutierrez Reed to be exonerated, and her lawyers have welcomed the thorough approach being taken by the special prosecutor team.

The dismissal of charges against Baldwin comes a month after special prosecutor Andrea Reeb stepped down from the case, following a motion by Baldwin’s attorney to have her disqualified as “unconstitutional” under New Mexico law due to her elected position in the New Mexico House of Representatives. The Santa Fe District Attorney then appointed Morrissey and Lewis as special prosecutors.

As part of a wrongful death settlement between Matthew Hutchins, Halyna Hutchins’ widower, Baldwin, and “Rust” producers, production on the film has resumed, with Matthew Hutchins now serving as an executive producer on the project. A status hearing in the case is scheduled to take place on Friday, and it will live stream on the New Mexico Courts YouTube site.