Alec Baldwin appeared relieved as he headed out to dinner Friday night after a New Mexico judge dropped involuntary manslaughter charges against him in connection with the 2021 shooting in “Rust” that left camerawoman Halyna Hutchins dead.
The 66-year-old “30 Rock” star laughed with his entourage — including his younger brother Stephen, 58 — outside Santa Fe restaurant Casa Chimayo, photos showed.
The actor had changed from the suit and tie he wore in court that day into a black T-shirt and navy jacket.
Just hours earlier, Baldwin burst into tears when a judge abruptly dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charges against him in connection with the Oct. 21, 2021, shooting death of camerawoman Halyna Hutchins on the set of his western “Rust.”
The father of eight was spotted hugging his wife Hilaria Baldwin before the couple got into an SUV.
The couple — who are currently filming “The Baldwins,” a reality series for TLC about life with their brood — have not yet released a statement about the sudden reversal.
An attorney for Hutchins’ widower, Matthew Hutchins, said the family respected the court’s decision but still hoped to hold Baldwin accountable for the tragedy on set.
“We look forward to presenting all of the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins,” attorney Brian J. Panish told Deadline, referring to the civil lawsuit.
If found guilty, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison for firing the gun that killed Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza.
During Friday’s hearing, the judge criticized prosecutors for “deliberately” withholding key evidence about ammunition from the defense.
Defense attorney Alex Spiro argued during the hearing that a “good Samaritan” brought bullets to the sheriff that were said to have killed Hutchins, after armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had already been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Baldwin, who has repeatedly maintained his innocence, settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Matthew Hutchins in 2023.
According to a judge’s ruling Friday, charges against the longtime “Saturday Night Live” host cannot be refiled.