Little Rock Airport boss Bryan Malinowski is shot in head while federal agents serve warrant at his Arkansas home
- Bryan Malinowski, 53, was wounded Tuesday morning at his home in west Little Rock, Arkansas, after exchanging gunfire with ATF agents
- The ATF said officers were attempting to execute a warrant when someone in the home, later identified as Malinowski, fired gunshots at the officers.
- Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details about what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation
The executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Arkansas was shot in the head by federal agents on Tuesday after he opened fire on them.
Arkansas State Police say 53-year-old Bryan Malinowski was injured around 6 a.m. at his home in west Little Rock.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said officers were trying to serve a warrant when someone inside the home fired gunshots at the officers.
Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details about what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation
Arkansas State Police say 53-year-old Bryan Malinowski was injured around 6 a.m. at his home in west Little Rock
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said officers were trying to serve a warrant when someone inside the home fired gunshots at the officers.
The officers returned fire, hitting the gunman, who was identified as Malinowski, the airport’s executive director.
Malinowski was treated at the scene before being taken to an area hospital, Arkansas State Police said. His condition was not immediately available Wednesday.
A source close to the situation said this Arkansas Times that Malinowski was shot in the head during the exchange and is now on life support.
Neighbors also say Malinowski is a gun enthusiast who regularly buys and trades firearms.
An ATF agent, whose identity was not released, was also shot during an exchange of gunfire but suffered a non-life-threatening wound, officials said. The officer was also taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Tuesday around 2:35 p.m., Little Rock firefighters were seen walking toward the house with a power saw and a Halligan tool — a large pry bar.
An ATF agent was heard saying they were on scene to help agents open a safe at Malinowski’s home, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. reported.
Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, said KARK that she was woken up on Tuesday by loud bangs.
De Bruyn told the outlet: ‘My heart was beating and the dogs were barking. I’m just curious as to what was going on a few houses down.”
Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details about what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation
An ATF agent was shot during an exchange of gunfire but suffered a non-life-threatening wound, officials said. Officers are seen outside the home on Tuesday
Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of real estate, planning and development. In 2019, he took over as executive director.
According to his biography on the airport websiteMalinowski has worked in the aviation industry for more than 30 years.
He previously worked in leadership roles at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport in Texas and Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania.
Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of real estate, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009. In 2019, he took over as executive director.
In a statement from Clinton National Airport, Airport Commission Chairman Bill Walker said, “Today’s incident saddens us and we pray for everyone involved.”
The airport was renamed after Arkansas native and former state governor Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2012.