LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The executive director of Little Rock's airport, who was injured earlier this week in a shootout with federal agents serving a search warrant at his home, died on Thursday.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport said in a statement that 53-year-old Bryan Malinowski died at noon.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents tried to serve the warrant just after 6 a.m. Tuesday at Malinowski’s home in west Little Rock when someone inside fired gunshots at the agents, news outlets reported. The agents returned fire, striking the shooter, who was identified as Malinowski. An unidentified ATF agent was also shot, but the wound was not life-threatening, officials said.
According to the affidavit given to us by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Malinowski purchased more than 150 guns between May 2021 and February 2024.
The affidavit said at least six of those firearms were later recovered in separate crimes across the U.S., while three more were bought in undercover purchases by the ATF.
During the investigation, agents learned Malinowski was selling guns without a proper license and without doing the appropriate paperwork when making a sale.
Malinowski, who did not have a dealer's license, also resold guns as a vendor at a 2023 gun show in Conway, where he made several sales to subjects "without asking for any identification or paperwork."
In a statement, Malinowski's family called the shooting “an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand.” The family said their thoughts and prayers go out to the government agent who was shot and his relatives.
The statement also expressed concern about the allegations in the affidavit and said that even if true, they didn't justify the use of deadly force.
“At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns,” the family said, adding they would wait for all the facts to come out.
There was no immediate response to a phone message seeking comment left Thursday with an ATF spokesperson.
Malinowski joined the Clinton National management team in 2008 as director of properties, planning, and development. A year later, he was promoted to deputy director of the airport. He became executive director in 2019.
Bill Walker, chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, said that the airport saw “significant growth and success under Malinowski's leadership.” The commission offered condolences to Malinowski’s family.
“Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport,” Walker said in the statement. “Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding services and offerings to our community and state. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryan’s wife, Maer, loved ones and friends.”