Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is an American armorer and prop master who gained national attention due to her involvement in the tragic on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the filming of Rust in October 2021.
Gutierrez-Reed was serving as the armorer for Rust, responsible for managing firearms on set. On October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop gun containing a live round, leading to Hutchins’ death and injuring director Joel Souza. Gutierrez-Reed was found negligent for allowing live ammunition on set and failing to follow safety protocols.
In March 2024, a jury convicted Gutierrez-Reed of involuntary manslaughter. She was acquitted of evidence tampering charges. In April 2024, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the maximum penalty for her conviction.
On May 23, 2025, Gutierrez-Reed was released from the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility after serving about 18 months of her sentence. She is currently on parole supervision in Arizona, which requires her to wear an electronic monitor, follow a strict curfew, and refrain from possessing firearms. Additionally, she must participate in mental health evaluations and either keep a job or enroll in an educational program.
Early Life and Family
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was born on July 22, 1997, in Arizona, USA. She is the daughter of Thell Reed, a seasoned Hollywood armorer and firearms expert known for his work on various film sets. Growing up in such an environment, Gutierrez-Reed was exposed to the film industry’s technical aspects from an early age.
Education and Career Beginnings
Gutierrez-Reed pursued her education in the field of firearms safety and armory, aiming to follow in her father’s footsteps. She began her career in the film industry by working as an assistant armorer, gradually gaining experience and building a reputation for her attention to detail and commitment to safety protocols. Her first significant role as a lead armorer was on the set of Rust, a Western film starring Alec Baldwin.
The ‘Rust’ Shooting Incident
On October 21, 2021, during a rehearsal on the set of Rust at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a prop gun discharged, fatally wounding cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The firearm was handed to actor Alec Baldwin by assistant director David Halls, who declared it a “cold gun,” indicating it was safe to use. However, the gun contained a live round, leading to the tragic incident. Gutierrez-Reed, as the armorer, was responsible for ensuring the safety of all weapons on set. Investigations revealed that live ammunition had been brought onto the set, and safety protocols were not strictly followed, leading to questions about her role and responsibilities.
Legal Proceedings and Conviction
In March 2024, Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins’ death. The jury found that she had been negligent in her duties as an armorer, failing to prevent live ammunition from being present on set and not adhering to standard safety procedures. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the maximum penalty for the charge. Additionally, she was acquitted of a separate charge of evidence tampering.
Release and Parole
On May 23, 2025, Gutierrez-Reed was released from the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility after serving approximately 18 months of her sentence. Upon release, she was placed under dual supervision by probation and parole authorities in Arizona. Her parole conditions include electronic monitoring, adherence to a curfew, and either maintaining employment or enrolling in school. She is also required to undergo mental health evaluations and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Net Worth
Prior to the Rust incident, Gutierrez-Reed’s net worth was modest, primarily derived from her work as an armorer and prop master. Reports indicate that she was slated to earn under $8,000 for her role on Rust, reflecting the typical compensation for such positions in the film industry.
Personal Life
Details about Gutierrez-Reed’s personal life remain largely private. She has not made public statements regarding her experiences during incarceration or her plans following her release. Her legal team has expressed intentions to appeal her conviction, citing errors in jury instructions and the admission of certain testimonies during the trial.
Conclusion
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s journey from a budding armorer to a central figure in one of Hollywood’s most tragic on-set incidents underscores the critical importance of safety protocols in the film industry. Her case has prompted widespread discussions about accountability, training, and the responsibilities of those handling firearms on set.
FAQs
Who is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed?
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed is an American armorer and prop master who was involved in the 2021 on-set shooting incident during the filming of Rust, which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
What was Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s role on the set of Rust?
She served as the armorer, responsible for managing firearms and ensuring safety protocols were followed during the production.
What led to the shooting incident on the Rust set?
A prop gun containing a live round was discharged by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal, leading to the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza.
What were the legal outcomes for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed?
In March 2024, she was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. She was released in May 2025 after serving her sentence and is currently under parole supervision.
Is Hannah Gutierrez-Reed appealing her conviction?
Yes, her legal team has filed an appeal, arguing that there were errors in jury instructions and the admission of certain testimonies during the trial.
What are the conditions of her parole?
Her parole conditions include electronic monitoring, adherence to a curfew, and either maintaining employment or enrolling in school. She is also required to undergo mental health evaluations and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
What is known about Hannah Gutierrez-Reed’s personal life?
Details about her personal life remain largely private, and she has not made public statements regarding her experiences during incarceration or her plans following her release.
