Statement from Hannah Gutierrez-Reed at sentencing in shooting death of Halyna Hutchins
Posted: June 2025
Statement from Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on April 15, 2024, at her involuntary-manslaughter sentencing in the “Rust” movie-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding of director Joel Souza:
“First and foremost, my heart aches for the Hutchins family and friends, and colleagues as well. And it has since the day this tragedy occurred. Halyna has been and always will be an inspiration to me. I understand she was taken too soon, and I pray that you all find peace. I am beyond grateful that Joel (Souza) survived that terrible day. My heart goes out to the film industry for the devastating pain that this tragedy caused and the old wounds that have been reopened.
“I am saddened by the way the media sensationalized our traumatic tragedy and portrayed me as a complete monster, which has actually been the total opposite of what’s been in my heart. Your Honor, when I took on “Rust,” I was young, and I was naive, but I took my job as seriously as I knew how to. Despite not having proper time, resources and staffing, when things got tough, I just did my best to handle it. Today, I humbly ask you to consider probation. A probation where I can contin- contribute to society through community service, and I can continue my counseling and I welcome any classes that you may deem necessary for me to attend. I give you my word now that I would strictly follow the rules and respect the parameters of that probation. I beg you, please don’t give me more time. The jury has found me in part at fault for this God-awful tragedy, but that doesn’t make me a monster. That makes me human. Thank you.”
