Arkansas airport executive shot during attempted search warrant, police say

The executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Arkansas was shot at his home Tuesday while authorities were attempting to serve a federal search warrant, according to Arkansas State Police.

Bryan Malinowski, 53, was injured with gunshot wounds around 6 a.m. Tuesday in Little Rock, while the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was serving a federal search warrant, Arkansas state police said in a statement. He was treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to a local hospital, and his condition is unknown.

It is unclear who shot Malinowski, but Arkansas State Police are calling the incident an "officer-involved shooting."

Malinowski's brother, Matthew Malinowski, told NBC News that his brother was shot in the head and was on life support. His brother collected coins, guns and other weapons.

"We don’t know if he’s going to make it in the next 24 hours," Matthew Malinowski told NBC News.

State police did not release the reason for the search warrant.

An ATF agent was also shot and transported to a local hospital, and the injury is non-life-threatening, state police said. The ATF and Little Rock police have asked Arkansas State Police to investigate.

"An investigative case file will be presented to the prosecuting attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law," state police said in a statement.

Who is Bryan Malinowski?

According to his employee bio on the Clinton National Airport's website, Malinowski started work there in 2008 as the director of properties, planning and development before he was promoted to executive director in 2019.

He had held previous leadership positions at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport.

As the executive director, he is responsible for the administration, operations, maintenance and development of the state's largest airport, located in Little Rock.

USA TODAY has contacted the Clinton National Airport for comment.