The executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, was shot and killed Tuesday when federal agents arrived at his home to serve a search warrant, police said.
Brian Malinowski, 53, the airport's executive director, was wounded in a gunfight shortly after 6 a.m. when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived.
Arkansas State Police said in a statement that the man “suffered a gunshot wound and was treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to a local hospital,” and his condition as of 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. added that it is unclear.
An ATF member was taken to a local hospital with what police described as a “non-life-threatening gunshot wound,” police said.
Neighbor Shea De Bruyn told NBC News affiliate Kirk in Little Rock that she woke up to five or six loud bangs.
“My heart was pounding and the dog was barking,” she said. “I’m really curious about what’s going on just a few doors down.”
Neighbors also told KARK that they saw guns and ammunition being loaded into a trailer Tuesday night, and firefighters brought a circular saw, crowbar and other tools into the home. .
The State Police Criminal Investigation Division is currently investigating this incident.
“The investigative case file will be submitted to prosecutors to determine whether the use of deadly force is consistent with Arkansas law,” police said in a statement.
Shane Carter, communications director for Clinton National Airport, confirmed to KARK that Malinowski is the airport's executive director, but declined to comment further.
Malinowski started working at the airport in 2008 and became executive director in 2019, according to his profile on the airport's website. His profile says he has more than 30 years of experience, with previous positions in El Paso and Fort Lauderdale.
“Today's incident saddens us and we pray for the well-being of everyone involved,” Little Rock Airport Commission Chairman Bill Walker said in a statement.
Mr Walker said Deputy Executive Director Tom Clark would take over as Acting Executive Director and the airport would open as normal.
The airport was built in honor of Arkansas native and former Gov. Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, after the Airport City Commission voted in favor of the change in 2012. Renamed.
