Shocking Injury Of Clinton Airport Executive Raises Questions

The executive director of the Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas (named after former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) was wounded in a shooting early Tuesday. The incident occurred as federal agents attempted to serve a search warrant at his residence.

According to Arkansas State Police, the confrontation took place at 6 a.m. at Bryan Malinowski’s home on Durance Court. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were executing the warrant when the shooting unfolded.

Malinowski, 53, sustained serious gunshot injuries and received immediate medical attention on site before being transported to a local hospital. Arkansas State Police said in a statement that Malinowski “was injured with gunshot wounds and treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to a local hospital.”

His brother, Matthew Malinowski, 55, was there at the hospital on Wednesday, and is uncertain about Bryan’s chances of recovery.

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“We don’t know if he’s going to make it in the next 24 hours,” Matthew Malinowski told NBC News over the phone. “He was shot in the head.”

He revealed that his brother is now on life support, with doctors refraining from surgery due to a bleak prognosis. He described Bryan as an aficionado of guns, weapons, and coins, who resided in an affluent suburb and had an annual income of $253,000.

via Clinton Airport website

Matthew argued against the likelihood of his brother engaging in illicit activities, explaining, “When someone makes that much money, there’s no incentive to do anything wrong. He has so much to lose.”

Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, reported being awakened by a series of loud noises to KARK in Little Rock. She recounted hearing “five or six loud bangs.”

“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.” De Bruyn explained, “I talked to other neighbors and all of us are just confused.”

By night time, the situation escalated as neighbors saw authorities transporting guns and ammunition from the residence into a trailer. This occurred after members of the Little Rock Fire Department were seen entering the property with equipment designed for cutting through metal, including a circular saw and crowbars.

“I’ve only heard good things about the lady that lives there, and it’s just sad to hear that this has happened,” De Bruyn finished.

During the altercation, an ATF agent also sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot injury and was later hospitalized. The ordeal is now under investigation by the Arkansas State Police at the request of both the ATF and the Little Rock Police Department. The specifics of the confrontation, including the initial shooter, remain undisclosed.

This case is set to be reviewed by prosecutors to assess if the use of deadly force aligned with state legislation. Meanwhile, Bryan Malinowski’s condition remains critical.

According to the Clinton airport business website, Bryan Malinowski brought over three decades of experience in airport management to his role as Executive Director at Clinton National Airport. Since joining the airport in 2008, Malinowski was pivotal in its operations, maintenance, and development.

Prior to his tenure at Clinton National, Malinowski held significant roles at several other airports, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport, and Lehigh Valley International Airport. He is a graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management.