Mar 22, 2024 - News

Firearms warrant led to Little Rock airport director's death

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Illustration of crime scene tape reading CRIME SCENE and DO NOT CROSS over a dark background. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

Federal agents were attempting to serve a search warrant on Bryan Malinowski of Little Rock for possession and sales of firearms when he was shot, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Malinowski, executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field, was fatally injured during a shootout with Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents. The incident occurred Tuesday; Malinowski died Thursday. He was 53.

Catch up quick: ATF officials said Malinowski opened fire, wounding an agent attempting to serve the warrant early Tuesday morning.

An affidavit alleges Malinowski had purchased about 150 firearms and resold many without a dealer's license.
About six of those he sold were used in crimes, the affidavit states.

Malinowski had been under surveillance by ATF since December after receiving a tip from Canadian officials, the Democrat-Gazette reported.

What's next: Arkansas State Police are investigating the incident and will report findings to the U.S. attorney's office.

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Firearms warrant led to Little Rock airport director's death

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