Bryan Malinowski, Executive Director of Clinton National Airport, Shot During Wild Firefight With Feds

Bryan Malinowski, the executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, was shot and killed during a raid by federal agents investigating allegations of illegal arms sales.

Malinowski, 53, was shot Tuesday morning when agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) attempted to serve a search warrant at his home. Malinowski allegedly opened fire as agents approached, and one agent was injured in the exchange.

Malinowski was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. His brother, Matthew Malinowski, said Bryan was "shot in the head" and had been on life support since the shooting.

ATF Investigation

A partially redacted affidavit released Thursday alleges that Malinowski had purchased more than 150 guns between May 2021 and February 2024 and he’d subsequently resold many of the firearms without a dealer’s license, according to KARK-TV. About six of the guns he allegedly sold were recovered in the commission of a crime, according to the affidavit, while another three were sold by Malinowski to undercover agents at gun shows.

Malinowski bought the guns legally and checked boxes on purchase forms indicating that the weapons were for himself, the document states. He would then resell them through gun shows, sometimes within as little as 24 hours.

Allegations of Illegal Gun Sales

The affidavit claims Malinowski sold guns to “several subjects without asking for any identification or paperwork” and allegedly told one undercover agent expressing interest in a purchase: “Cash, no paper.”

Family's Reaction

A statement released Thursday by Malinowski’s family through a spokesperson said his loved ones “do not understand the government’s decisions which led to a dawn raid on a private home and triggered the use of deadly force,” according to Arkansas Times. The family said they are “obviously concerned” about Malinowski’s alleged wrongdoing, but even if the accusations are true, “they don’t begin to justify what happened.”

“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 statement added. The family called Malinowski’s death “an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand” and said their “thoughts and prayers” are with the ATF agent injured in the shootout.

Questions Surround Raid

The Malinowski family has expressed concerns about the raid, saying they do not understand why it was necessary to use deadly force. They also questioned why the raid was conducted at dawn, when the family was asleep.

The ATF has not released any further details about the investigation or why Malinowski was targeted. The agency said it is conducting an internal review of the incident.

The shooting has raised questions about the use of force by federal agents and the ATF's tactics in investigating gun crimes.

Investigation Ongoing

The investigation into Malinowski's death is ongoing. The ATF has said it will conduct a thorough review of the incident and will release more information as it becomes available.