Prosecutors in New Mexico have dropped criminal charges against actor Alec Baldwin in the “Rust” shooting tragedy, a dramatic turn of events that comes after numerous missteps by prosecutors.

according to two famous people

with the case who were not authorized to comment.

The decision to drop the involuntary manslaughter charge comes just weeks after a new special prosecutor took over the case when the district attorney resigned.

“We are pleased with the decision to dismiss the case against Alec Baldwin and we encourage a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of this tragic accident,” said Luke Nikas and Alex Spiro,

the

lawyers for

Alec

Baldwin said in a statement to ABC News.

Prosecutors were not immediately available for comment.

Baldwin, 65, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in late January in the October 2021 death of Halyna Hutchins. The film’s gunsmith, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was also charged.

But since the high-profile charges were announced by prosecutors in Santa Fe, the case against Baldwin has been crumbling due to a variety of problems with the investigation.

Two months ago, New Mexico prosecutors reduced sentences for felonies

?

in return for

Alec

Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed

the gunsmith in rust shooting

removing the threat that either could serve years in prison.

Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed were charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter last month

DOES THIS DUPLICATE 2 GRAFS ABOVE?

for Oct. 21, 2021, recording of Hutchins’ accidental death in the movies south of Santa Fe.

The most serious charge included a firearm enhancement sentence that carried up to five years in prison if convicted.

The “rust”

movie

production was set to resume filming Thursday at Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana.

“The production will continue to use union members and will prohibit the use of working guns and ammunition of any kind,” said Rust Movie Productions attorney Melina Spadone. Live ammunition is and has always been banned on set.

This is an evolving story. Times staff writer Anousha Sakoui contributed to this report.