20/20 True Crime Vault: The Deadly Take

Date: December 9, 2025
Host: ABC News
Episode Focus: The tragic fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film "Rust" and an in-depth comparison of on-set safety failures, specifically revisiting the 2014 "Midnight Rider" accident that killed Sarah Jones. The episode explores how two young women lost their lives due to avoidable on-set negligence, the immediate aftermath, the criminal investigation, and the broader industry implications.

Episode Overview

This episode of "20/20 True Crime Vault" provides a gripping, minute-by-minute account of the Rust shooting incident, details the context leading up to the tragedy, addresses unresolved questions, and draws powerful parallels with the Midnight Rider train tragedy. Filmmakers, crew, experts, and loved ones give emotional testimony about the personal losses, the shocking lapses in safety, and the urgent calls for systemic change in film industry protocols.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The "Rust" Production

• Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, NM, is introduced as a classic western filming location. (02:22)
• "Rust" is a low-budget western, starring and produced by Alec Baldwin, with a 21-day shooting schedule and a $7.5 million budget, described as "the catering budget on a DC Comics movie." (07:57)
• Crew roles were combined to save costs, notably assigning the armorer (in charge of firearm safety) to also assist with props. The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was only 24. (08:05–08:34)

2. Halyna Hutchins: A Rising Star

• Hutchins, born in Ukraine, was a passionate cinematographer and mother, lauded for energy, confidence, and collaborative spirit. (04:12–06:15)
• "There's always like a spotlight on her whenever she's around everybody else." – Filmmaker (05:50)

3. Mounting Tensions and Safety Concerns

• Crew began noticing issues with hotel accommodations, long commutes, rushed schedules, and—most crucially—firearm mishandling. (14:22–15:14)
• Multiple accidental gun discharges occurred prior to the fatal shooting, raising alarm. "When you hear about something like two accidental discharges of weapons, the gun's going off. That's serious business." (13:42)
• Some crew resigned over safety concerns; their resignation email cited "things often played very fast and loose." (16:05)

4. The Fatal Incident

• Timeline recounted in detail:
  • The day began with most of the camera crew walking off; replacement crew brought in under pressure. (18:35)
  • A safety meeting was held prior to filming, reiterating that gunfire was scheduled. (19:17)
  • Key Moment: After lunch, in preparation for a close-up shot, Alec Baldwin was told the gun was "cold" (safe). A gun loaded with what were supposed to be dummy rounds discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. (20:12–22:27)
  • "I let go of the hammer, and the gun goes off." – Alec Baldwin (22:10)
  • Chaos ensued, and emergency services responded within minutes. (23:54–25:32)

5. Aftermath: Investigation & Grief

• Immediate disbelief and dismay on set and in the wider film community. (25:07–27:11)
• The realization that a live round was fired—never supposed to be present on set. (27:44)
• Grief over Halyna's death and visible devastation among crew, Alec Baldwin, and Halyna's family. "What can you possibly say to him? ... I don't know how to convey to you how sorry I am." – Crew member, to Halyna's husband (29:40)

6. Broader Context: Accidents in Film History

• The episode draws direct parallels between this tragedy and previous deaths: John Eric Hexum (1984), Brandon Lee on "The Crow" (1993), and Sarah Jones on "Midnight Rider" (2014). (30:23–31:21)
• "No one should die making a movie." (43:52)
• The show recounts the details of the "Midnight Rider" train accident: improper location permits, lack of safety meetings, and the fatality of Sarah Jones due to blatant negligence. (47:00–65:17)

7. Legal & Industry Fallout

• Rust tragedy prompts criminal investigation, search warrants, and lawsuits—the focus is on determining how a live round ended up on set and ultimately in the gun. (33:01, 34:03)
• Discussion of “safety bulletins” and the lack of legal enforceability—most industry standards are not codified laws but are voluntary best practices. (45:54)
• Testimony from safety experts and armorers about strict protocols:
  • "If I picked up a dummy round and it didn’t rattle, I would stop and isolate it from the rest." – Hollywood armorer (34:40–34:59)
• In the "Midnight Rider" case, director Randall Miller was the first in history to go to jail for a film-set death. (72:19)
• Civil and possible criminal liability are discussed regarding Rust's armorer, assistant director, and Alec Baldwin. (75:23–75:59)

8. Industry Reckoning & Future Changes

• Growing movement to ban real firearms and live ammunition on set; some studios immediately implement such bans. (76:14–76:40)
• Use of CGI muzzle flashes as a practical alternative, with visual examples described. (77:53)
• Debate continues over whether real guns are necessary for realism or whether safety must take absolute precedence. (78:43-79:12)
• Call for codified legal protections, not just voluntary industry guidelines. "Nothing's more important than that. Never again let someone's daughter die." (79:12–79:36)
• Names of Halyna Hutchins and Sarah Jones are honored and remembered as a catalyst for industry change. (80:06–80:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"There’s always like a spotlight on her whenever she’s around everybody else."
– Filmmaker on Halyna Hutchins (05:50)

"If I picked up a dummy round and it didn’t rattle, I would stop and isolate it from the rest of the dummy rounds. If there’s any question, any anomaly, it’s not going into the gun."
– Hollywood armorer (34:40)

"No one should die making a movie."
– Narrator (43:52, 73:33)

"Just because something is an accident doesn’t mean that a criminal act didn’t occur."
– Legal expert (75:43)

"How many more names need to go on a slate before the needed changes are made in this industry so it just will not happen again?"
– Industry advocate (80:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Rust Set-Up: 00:32–05:13
• Halyna Hutchins: Life & Career: 04:12–07:02
• Safety Concerns & Accidental Discharges: 12:46–14:11
• Crew Walkout & Rising Tensions: 15:02–16:34; 18:35
• The Day of the Shooting: 19:02–23:54
• Immediate Aftermath & Police Response: 24:24–27:11
• Shockwaves & Industry Context: 31:21–34:03
• Rust Shooting Investigation & Legal Questions: 33:01–39:05
• Midnight Rider Story & Parallels to Rust: 47:00–72:19
• Industry Reckoning, Legislation, and Visual Effects: 76:14–78:43
• Tributes and Final Reflections: 80:06–81:17

Emotional & Industry Reflections

• The episode is marked by a tone of sorrow, outrage, and urgency.
• Families, colleagues, and industry members express profound grief and demand change.
• The deaths of Sarah Jones and Halyna Hutchins are represented as avoidable and emblematic of larger, systemic failures in safety culture.
• There is optimism that these tragedies might finally drive lasting reforms: codifying laws, eliminating live guns and ammunition, and ensuring no more names are added to the slate.

Conclusion

"True Crime Vault: The Deadly Take" is a sobering account of the Rust shooting tragedy and its chilling echoes from film history. By combining minute-by-minute re-creations, personal remembrances, and expert analysis, the episode delivers both a cautionary tale for an industry at a crossroads and a heartfelt tribute to lives lost. It underscores one clear, pressing message: No one should die making a movie—and it is finally time for real change.