The FBI has now completed its forensic analysis of the Rust shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza last year, The L.A. Times reports. Although the contents of the Bureau’s report haven’t been disclosed to the public, it’s still being viewed as a key milestone in the investigation into Hutchins’ death on the set of the low-budget Western, as New Mexico police were waiting to continue their own process until the FBI’s tests were completed.
The crux of the investigation, of course, will be who, if anyone, the police will be pursuing charges against over the incident—which occurred on October 21, 2021, and during which a gun in actor Alec Baldwin’s hand discharged while it was pointed at Hutchins, with a live round that had somehow made its way onto the film’s set firing, killing her and wounding Souza. Baldwin, also a producer on the film, has denied any responsibility for the accident, and instead pushed for investigations into how the live round made its way onto the set. Baldwin has reportedly been cooperating with New Mexico police, including providing his cell phone to them for investigation.