The executive director of the Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, named after former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, found himself wounded in a shooting early Tuesday as federal agents attempted to execute a search warrant at his residence.
According to Arkansas State Police, the encounter unfolded around 6 a.m. at Bryan Malinowski’s home on Durance Court, where agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were conducting the operation.
Malinowski, 53, sustained severe gunshot wounds and was promptly attended to by medical personnel on-site before being rushed to a nearby hospital. Arkansas State Police revealed that Malinowski “was injured with gunshot wounds and treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to a local hospital.”
His brother, Matthew Malinowski, 55, provided updates from the hospital on Wednesday, expressing uncertainty about Bryan’s chances of survival.
“We don’t know if he’s going to make it in the next 24 hours,” Matthew Malinowski conveyed to NBC News, sharing that Bryan had suffered a gunshot to the head.
Currently, Bryan remains on life support, with surgeons refraining from surgery due to the grim prognosis. Matthew described his brother as a connoisseur of firearms, weaponry, and numismatics, residing in an upscale suburb with an annual income of $253,000.
Disputing the likelihood of his brother’s involvement in illicit activities, Matthew remarked, “When someone makes that much money, there’s no incentive to do anything wrong. He has so much to lose.”
Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, recounted being jolted awake by a series of loud noises, explaining to KARK in Little Rock, “My heart was racing and the dogs were barking. I’m just really curious as to what was going on just a few houses down.” De Bruyn added, “I talked to other neighbors and all of us are just confused.”
As night fell, the scene intensified as authorities were observed transporting firearms and ammunition from the premises into a trailer. This followed the arrival of members of the Little Rock Fire Department equipped with metal-cutting tools, including a circular saw and crowbars.
“I’ve only heard good things about the lady that lives there, and it’s just sad to hear that this has happened,” De Bruyn expressed.
During the altercation, an ATF agent also suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was subsequently hospitalized. The incident is now under investigation by the Arkansas State Police, at the request of both the ATF and the Little Rock Police Department, with details of the confrontation, including the initial shooter, yet to be disclosed.
This case will undergo scrutiny by prosecutors to determine if the use of deadly force aligns with state laws. Meanwhile, Bryan Malinowski remains in critical condition.
Bryan Malinowski brought over thirty years of experience in airport management to his role as Executive Director at Clinton National Airport, as stated on the airport’s business website. Since joining in 2008, Malinowski played a pivotal role in its operations, maintenance, and development, boasting significant positions at airports like Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport, and Lehigh Valley International Airport. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.