Shivangi Sinha
In October 2021, when Halyna Hutchins tragically lost her life due to a fatal gunshot accident on a film set, authorities identified several individuals as potentially responsible. Among them was Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the set’s armorer, who was in charge of handling the firearms. In the immediate aftermath, her stepfather, Thell Reed—a renowned armorer and stuntman—publicly defended her and expressed utter confidence that she could not have been at fault. Hulu’s ‘Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna’ featured his statements, which helped provide a broader perspective on the differing opinions regarding Hannah’s culpability.
Thell Reed’s Reputation in Fast-Draw Competitions Helped Him Pave His Way Into Hollywood
Thell Reed was born on February 11, 1943, in Downey, California, and he grew up as the only son in his family. His father, who owned a chain of BBQ restaurants, had a deep fascination with guns, which he passed down to Thell. As a child, he was gifted a pair of matched Colt .45s, which instilled in him the confidence to explore his own passion for firearms. From that moment on, he never looked back and dove into the world of fast-draw competitions. He quickly made a name for himself, competing in prestigious events like Jeff Cooper’s Big Bear and the South Western Combat Pistol League, earning recognition as one of the sport’s esteemed “combat masters.”
Thell gained fame for his incredibly fast draw and impressed audiences when he fired a .38 pistol in just 8/100 of a second at the age of 13. His unmatched speed and accuracy led him to win the title in a live ammunition quick-draw competition, ultimately earning him the distinction of World Champion Live Ammo Quick Draw Artist. His extraordinary talent caught the attention of American actor and musician Gene Autry, who invited him to join his Wild West tour. This opportunity paved the way for Thell’s entry into Hollywood, where he began working as an armorer, starting with the 1993 film ‘Tombstone.’ His reputation as a firearms expert grew rapidly, leading to his involvement in numerous successful films, including ‘Purgatory’ and ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’ He also served as the quick-draw expert on ‘Django Unchained’ and worked as a weapons specialist for ‘Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood,’ solidifying his legendary status in the industry.
Thell Reed is a Staunch Supporter of Hannah Even Today
On October 21, 2021, when Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on the set of Rust, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was serving as the film’s armorer. By that time, Thell Reed had been married to Stacy Reed, Hannah’s mother, and considered Hannah as his own daughter. As the police launched their investigation, the latter became one of the key individuals under scrutiny, with widespread media speculation about her alleged negligence. In December 2021, Thell publicly defended Hannah for the first time and expressed full support in her favor. He stated that he was not concerned about her competence, though he disapproved of the fact that she had been assigned both as an armorer and a prop assistant, a workload she had reportedly complained about.
Thell argued that had she been present during the scene’s rehearsal, the tragic incident could have been avoided. He further claimed that Hannah was being unfairly targeted and even suggested that she might have been the victim of “sabotage,” emphasizing that she was skilled and knew what she was doing. In January 2023, Hannah was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter, and in March 2024, she was found guilty. Although Thell was listed as a potential defense witness, he was never called to testify. However, he was present in the courtroom alongside his wife, Stacy, as their daughter received her sentence.
When the same charges against Alec Baldwin were dismissed in July 2024, Thell argued that Hannah’s conviction should also be overturned. He alleged that prosecutors were withholding crucial evidence and stated that this should serve as grounds for an appeal and a retrial. He remained steadfast in his belief that his daughter had done nothing wrong and was unfairly made into a “scapegoat.” Now 82 years old, he continues to reside in California with Stacy, both of them awaiting Hannah’s release. In an effort to support her legal battle, he launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $100,000 to cover legal fees. However, the fundraiser was quickly shut down for violating the platform’s policies against raising money for “the legal defense of alleged financial and violent crimes.”
Read More: David Halls: Where is the Rust First Assistant Director Now?
