New Mexico's Office of Medical Investigators has ruled that the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was an accident.
Hutchins was shot dead on October 21, 2021, while filming the movie Rust.
Hollywood A-Lister and star of the ill-fated film Alec Baldwin was holding the gun when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza.
The medical investigator's report was released on Monday (August 15) and is based on evidence from an autopsy and a review of police reports.
The report, obtained by ABC News, ruled that the shooting was accidental because there was an "absence of obvious intent to cause harm or death", alongside "no compelling demonstration" of the weapon being intentionally loaded with live rounds.
Before they determine whether to press any charges in the case, prosecutors will first review reports from the FBI on the revolver and ammunition and cell phone data which Baldwin is still yet to provide.
Following the medical investigators' ruling, Baldwin's legal team has argued that the actor should not face charges.
Attorney Luke Nikas said in a statement to USA TODAY: "This is the third time the New Mexico authorities have found that Alec Baldwin had no authority or knowledge of the allegedly unsafe conditions on the set, that he was told by the person in charge of safety on the set that the gun was 'cold,' and believed the gun was safe."
Boss Baby star Baldwin has repeatedly claimed that he did not pull the trigger and that the fatal accident was caused by the gun discharging accidentally.
In a December interview with ABC News, the 64-year-old star said the gun fired after he cocked it, but that: "The trigger wasn’t pulled."
He went on to say that he did not feel responsible for Hutchins' death.
"I feel that someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me," he told host George Stephanopoulos, adding: "I mean, honest to God, if I felt that I was responsible, I might have killed myself if I thought I was responsible. And I don’t say that lightly."
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