Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the lady responsible for loading the gun that actor Alec Baldwin used before it accidentally fired and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust,” has been handed an 18-month prison sentence. Found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March, Gutierrez-Reed faced the maximum possible penalty for her actions. Although cleared of tampering with evidence, the court deemed her negligence as a critical factor leading to the tragic incident.

Addressing Gutierrez-Reed during the sentencing, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer emphasized the severity of her actions, highlighting that her oversight transformed a safe weapon into a lethal one, resulting in the loss of life. The prosecution argued that Gutierrez-Reed’s failure to properly ensure the firearm was loaded with dummy rounds, instead of live ammunition, directly contributed to the fatal outcome.

As Gutierrez-Reed begins her sentence, Alec Baldwin, who also faces manslaughter charges, prepares for his trial in July, maintaining his plea of not guilty. The verdict brings a degree of closure for Halyna Hutchins’ family, who expressed satisfaction with the outcome and hope for accountability for all parties involved in their daughter’s tragic death.