The Executive Director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport died in the hospital Thursday after a gun battle with ATF agents serving a search warrant at his Little Rock, Arkansas home.
Airport official confirmed the death of Bryan Malinowski, 53, in an email to HNGN.
"With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of our executive director Bryan Malinowski. Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport," Bill Walker, the chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission said in a statement to HNGN. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryan's wife, Maer, loved ones and friends."
The Arkansas State Police say the agents were at the Malinowski's home on Tuesday when he allegedly shot at agents. They returned fire.
"I heard about five or six, like, loud bangs," neighbor Shea De Bruyn told KARK-TV.
Paramedics treated Malinowski for gunshot wounds at the scene before taking him to a hospital.
Matthew Malinowski told NBC News that his brother was shot in the head.
Malinowski said his younger brother collected weapons and coins.
Police say an ATF agent suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was also hospitalized.
Details on why they were searching his home were not released. Neighbors say authorities carried guns and ammunition from the residence later in the day.
According to his biography, Malinowski joined the airport in 2008 and was appointed to lead the airport in 2019.
He previously held leadership positions with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport.
