‘Rust’ Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Pleads Guilty to Santa Fe Gun Possession Charge
After being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for her involvement in the fatal “Rust” movie set shooting, film armorer Hannah Gutierrez has now pleaded guilty to weapons charges in a separate case.
Gutierrez, who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence tied to the “Rust” shooting, admitted to unlawfully carrying a gun into a bar just days before the fatal incident that took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
According to prosecutors, Gutierrez recorded a video in a bar restroom where she explained how she concealed a firearm to bypass the venue’s security. This video was obtained by the state when Gutierrez consented to a cell phone data extraction in an unrelated case.
On Monday, Gutierrez appeared in court wearing a brown prison jumpsuit and handcuffs, pleading guilty to a single count of unlawfully bringing a firearm into a business that serves alcohol.
Gutierrez gained national attention after the 2021 “Rust” shooting, in which she was responsible for handling weapons on set. A prop gun, loaded with a live round, discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins. Jurors convicted Gutierrez of involuntary manslaughter, leading to her current 18-month prison sentence.
In this new case, Gutierrez waived her right to a trial and admitted to bringing a gun into the Matador Bar in Santa Fe, just days before the “Rust” shooting. Her defense attorney, Jason Bowles, argued that this type of charge is rarely pursued in Santa Fe, suggesting it was added because of the high-profile nature of her case.
Judge Glenn Ellington sentenced Gutierrez to 18 months of supervised probation for the weapons charge. The probation will run concurrently with her prison sentence from the “Rust” shooting. Gutierrez briefly apologized to the court and thanked the judge for the sentence.
