Federal Agents Involved in Shootout During Search Warrant Attempt
Federal agents were involved in a shootout early Tuesday as they tried to serve a search warrant at the Little Rock home of the person who leads the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, authorities said.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said agents were trying to serve the warrant just after 6 a.m. at a home in west Little Rock when someone inside the home fired gunshots at the agents. The agents returned fire, striking the shooter, who was identified as Bryan Malinowski, 53, 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 later Tuesday.
An ATF agent, whose identity was not released, was also 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.
Neither the ATF, state police nor federal prosecutors would provide details of what agents were looking for, citing an ongoing investigation.
At approximately 2:35 p.m., a group of Little Rock firefighters were observed heading towards the residence carrying a power saw and a Halligan tool, a large pry bar. An ATF agent mentioned that they were present to assist in opening a safe located in Malinowski's house.
As stated in his biography on the airport's website, Malinowski has an extensive background in the airline industry spanning over 30 years. He has held various operational leadership positions at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport in Texas, and Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania.
Malinowski initially joined the management team at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in 2008 as the director of properties, planning, and development. After a year, he was promoted to deputy director of the airport, eventually assuming the role of executive director in 2019.
