The executive director of an Arkansas airport was shot by federal agents during a raid on his home this week and died from his wounds, his brother said.
Brian Malinowski, 53, died two days after a gunfight with agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) at his Little Rock home. Matthew Malinowski told Fox News Digital he was pronounced dead on Thursday.
Bill Walker, the new executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, also announced Malinowski’s death in a statement to FOX News Digital.
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Brian Malinowski, executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was shot and killed Tuesday while federal agents were executing a search warrant. He died Thursday, his brother said. (Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport)
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Executive Director Brian Malinowski. Brian served the airport for 16 years,” Walker said in a statement. “Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding our services and offerings to our community and state. We would like to extend our condolences to Brian’s wife, Mare, and their loved ones, My deepest condolences to his friends.”
Questions about shooting
Many questions are being asked about the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of Brian Malinowski. ATF said agents were attempting to execute a search warrant at Malinowski’s home when a gunfight occurred. One agent was injured, but the injuries were not life-threatening.
Malinowski was shot in the head, his brother said.
“They went for the kill shot,” he said of the ATF agents. “I did see them fire five shots. They were shooting to hurt, but Brian did fire back at them. He was aiming for the shin, but not fatally. There was no.”
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ATF said investigators are attempting to execute a search warrant. (Scott Olson/Getty Images/File)
“One of the shots went through three or four walls,” he added.
The shooting occurred days after Malinowski traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of the Arkansas state legislature.
“The death of Coach Brian Malinowski is tragic and our thoughts are with his family at this time,” said Sens. Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman, all Republicans. The assembled Arkansas House delegation released a statement to FOX News Digital. .
“Last week, a delegation from the airport traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives and staff from the state of Arkansas and discuss priorities for the airport. We will continue to monitor this progress.”
Matthew Malinowski questioned why authorities raided his home at 6 a.m. instead of approaching his brother at work, which would have been a safer alternative for everyone involved in Tuesday’s operation. He said it was supposed to be. He noted that Brian Malinowski was an avid firearms collector, but he did not know why he was the subject of a search warrant.
Reason for search warrant unknown
David Gellman, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, said he was concerned that the ATF was not releasing information about why agents were at the home.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport)
“I think what’s more concerning is that they have yet to release any information to the public about what they were doing on the ground for the 6 a.m. attack,” he told Fox News Digital in a statement. told. “You know how much the U.S. Attorney’s Office likes press conferences. Normally they would have already justified it with a copy of the warrant. Still, there’s nothing.”
“There must have been good reason to believe there was evidence of some crime inside the residence,” he added. “Therefore, it is necessary to execute a search warrant at that location.”
He noted that calls for de-escalation likely saved lives in this case.
“It’s not that I don’t like the ATF, but we have a bad carrot that just spoils for everyone else and unfortunately it’s damaging,” Matthew Malinowski said.
He said it was hard to believe his brother was involved in illegal activity, given the state of his life.
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Brian Malinowski also owned five properties, earned between $270,000 and $280,000 a year, and was responsible for about 2,000 employees at the Little Rock airport, his brother said. Told.
“Life is great when you’re in a position like that. Why ruin it for a small infraction?” Matthew Malinowski once said. “He always kept his nose clean. As far as I know, he had no enemies.”
