Alec Baldwin sues to 'clear his name' over fatal 'Rust' shooting

Alec Baldwin's attorneys say they are trying to "clear his name" by suing people involved in handling and supplying the gun that the actor held when it fired and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during an accident on the set of the movie "Rust" in October 2021. 

Baldwin filed a cross-complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday against several of the same people named in script supervisor Mamie Mitchell's civil suit over the shooting, the Associated Press reported. Baldwin's case seeks a share of any damages Mitchell may win from the people he also names.

Mitchell, who was standing behind Hutchins when she was fatally wounded, also sued Baldwin, the production company and others for assault and negligence. 

Baldwin has insisted that he did not pull the gun's trigger, but a recent FBI report determined that the firearm could not have gone off without the trigger being pulled. 

"More than anyone else on that set, Baldwin has been wrongfully viewed as the perpetrator of this tragedy. By these cross-claims, Baldwin seeks to clear his name," Baldwin's lawsuit stated.

The case also argues that the actor has lost opportunities and been fired because of the shooting and that he has "suffered physically and emotionally from the grief caused by these events."

Prosecutors are still reviewing whether criminal charges will be filed in connection to the shooting.