In a shocking turn of events, the weapons expert involved in the fatal shooting on the set of the film “Rust” is now facing a new gun charge related to a separate incident. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge in the Rust case, was hit with a fresh charge of carrying a gun in a licensed liquor establishment in New Mexico. This alleged incident occurred on October 1, 2021, three weeks before the tragic shooting on the Rust set.

The announcement of this new charge has sparked outrage from Gutierrez-Reed's lawyer, Jason Bowles, who called it baseless and part of a smear campaign against his client. Speaking on behalf of Gutierrez-Reed, Bowles stated, "The special prosecutor has now resorted to charging Hannah Gutierrez-Reed with another offense not tied to the Rust set or remotely related to it. Next week it will probably be something else they will dream up."

The lawyer further claimed that this was an attempt by the prosecutor to secure any conviction possible due to the weak nature of the Rust-related charges against Gutierrez-Reed. The mounting pressure and continuous legal battles have turned the case into a complete spectacle.

The focus of the Rust case revolves around the tragic shooting that took place on October 21, 2021. During a rehearsal, actor Alec Baldwin was handling a prop gun when it unexpectedly discharged a live round of ammunition. The incident resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza.

Initially, charges against Baldwin were dropped in April, with the special prosecutors citing the possibility of the gun being modified and malfunctioning. However, a new analysis of the weapon has caused the prosecutors to reconsider, and they are now seeking to present the case to a grand jury for potential criminal charges against Baldwin.

The grand jury was scheduled to convene on Thursday, but the judge presiding over the case opted to reschedule during a teleconference hearing on Wednesday. The delay in proceedings adds to the ongoing anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the outcome of this high-profile case.

In the midst of these developments, NBC News obtained a series of videos showcasing Baldwin handling a prop gun while filming scenes. These videos shed light on the working conditions and practices on the Rust set, further fueling the public's interest in the case.

As the trial for Gutierrez-Reed is set to begin in late February, the entire film industry and the public at large anxiously await the outcome of these legal battles. The tragedy on the Rust set has not only shaken the filmmaking community but has also ignited a discussion about safety protocols and the responsible use of firearms in the industry.