In a recent development surrounding the tragic shooting on the set of "Rust," actor Alec Baldwin has addressed the New Mexico judge's decision to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charges against him. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled on Friday that the charges related to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins should be dropped.

With this ruling, the court also determined that Baldwin cannot be recharged in the case, effectively ending the criminal proceedings against him. In his first statement since the dismissal, Baldwin expressed his thoughts on the matter.

"I am relieved that the judge has taken into account the evidence presented and dropped the involuntary manslaughter charges against me. I have maintained from the beginning that I did not intentionally cause any harm to Halyna or anyone else that tragic day on the film set," Baldwin said.

The incident occurred on October 21st, 2021, when a prop gun discharged, fatally injuring Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy unfolded over the following months, leading to Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter charges.

Baldwin's legal team had argued that the actor was not responsible for the misfire and that there were numerous safety protocol breaches on the set, suggesting a systemic failure. The defense also claimed that Baldwin had been assured by the assistant director that the prop gun was safe to handle.

While the dismissal of the charges marks a significant development in the legal proceedings, it does not diminish the loss suffered by Hutchins' family and friends. The tragedy highlighted the importance of on-set safety measures and renewed discussions within the entertainment industry regarding the use of firearms during productions.

Despite the dismissal of the charges, the civil lawsuits pertaining to the shooting incident remain ongoing, as compensation and accountability are sought for the devastating loss that occurred.

As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the film industry remains under scrutiny, emphasizing the need for constant reassessment of safety standards and practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The repercussions of this incident are likely to prompt changes in regulations and guidelines concerning the use of firearms on film sets across the globe.