- Bryan Malinowski, 53, was injured at his home in west Little Rock, Arkansas, on Tuesday morning after exchanging gunfire with ATF agents
- The ATF said agents were trying to serve a warrant when someone inside the home, later identified as Malinowski, fired gunshots at the agents
- Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details of 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 at his home in west Little Rock around 6 am.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were trying to serve a warrant when someone inside the home fired gunshots at the agents.
Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details of what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation
The agents returned fire, striking the shooter, who was identified as Malinowski, the executive director for the airport.
Malinowski was treated at the scene before being taken to an area hospital, Arkansas State Police said. His condition was not immediately available on Wednesday.
A source close to the situation told Arkansas Times that Malinowski was shot in the head during the exchange and is now on life support.
Neighbors also the outlet that Malinowski is a gun enthusiast who frequently buys and trades firearms.
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An ATF agent, whose identity was not released, also was shot in the exchange of gunfire but suffered a non-life-threatening wound, officials said. The agent, too, was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Around 2:35 p.m on Tuesday, Little Rock firefighters carrying a power saw and a Halligan tool – a large prybar – were seen walking toward the house.
An ATF agent was overheard saying they were at the scene to help agents open a safe in Malinowski´s house, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, told KARK that she was woken up on Tuesday by loud bangs.
De Bruyn told the outlet: ‘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.’
Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details of what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation
According to his biography on the airport’s website, Malinowski has worked in the airline industry for more than 30 years.
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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 properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009. He took over as executive director in 2019.
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.
source: dailymail.co.uk/Executive-director-Clinton-Airport-shot-firefight-federal-Bryan-Malinowski
