Bryan Malinowski, the executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, was shot during an exchange of gunfire as federal agents served a search warrant at his home. The incident, which took place early Tuesday morning, left Malinowski injured and also resulted in a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to one ATF agent.
Arkansas State Police reported that the confrontation happened around 6 a.m. at Malinowski’s residence. During the attempt to execute the warrant, gunshots were fired between someone inside the home—later identified as Malinowski—and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents. The specific motivations and the exact details of the incident remain unclear, as neither the ATF, state police, nor federal prosecutors have disclosed what led to the altercation or what the agents were seeking, citing an ongoing investigation.
Upon being shot, Malinowski was treated on the scene by paramedics and then transported to a local hospital. His current condition has been a subject of concern and has not been disclosed following the event. According to an unverified source speaking to Arkansas Times, Malinowski was shot in the head and has been on life support.
The injured ATF agent, whose identity has been withheld, was also taken to a hospital for treatment after suffering from a gunshot wound deemed non-critical.
Following the shooting, state police’s Criminal Investigation Division took over the investigation. An official statement indicated, “An investigative case file will be presented to the prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.”
In the wake of this violent incident, community members and neighbors expressed shock and curiosity. Shea De Bruyn, a resident in the vicinity, recalled being woken by “five or six loud bangs” that caused her heart to race and her dogs to bark. She, along with other neighbors, witnessed law enforcement officers removing firearms and ammunition from Malinowski’s home and using tools such as circular saws and crowbars, suggesting an intensive search of the premises.
Malinowski has served as the airport’s executive director since 2019. He became part of the organization in 2008. With a 30-year career in the airline sector, he has held positions at airports in El Paso, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Meanwhile, Tom Clarke, the deputy executive director, has taken on the role of acting executive director to guarantee uninterrupted airport operations.
The incident has cast a somber tone over the airport community, with Airport Commission Chairman Bill Walker stating, “Today’s incident saddens us, and we pray for everyone involved.”
Relevant articles:
– Airport executive shot in firefight with federal agents at his home in Arkansas
– Little Rock Airport boss Bryan Malinowski is shot in head while federal agents serve warrant at his Arkansas home, Daily Mail, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:46:06 GMT
– Top exec at Bill and Hillary Clinton airport in Arkansas shot as federal agents serve search warrant, Fox News, Tue, 19 Mar 2024 23:30:00 GMT
– Top exec at Bill and Hillary Clinton airport in Arkansas shot as federal agents serve search warrant, New York Post, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:38:31 GMT