Heart-stopping moment ATF raid home of Bill and Hilary Clinton Airport boss who later died from shootout as his family say SWAT team never identified themselves when they bust open his door

Photo of author

By Maya Cantina

New video from an ATF raid on the director of Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Arkansas has raised questions about the use of force by federal agents after he was killed in a shootout.

Bryan Malinowski, 53, died in the hospital at noon on Thursday, two days after the confrontation with ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock.

The search warrant revealed Malinowski was suspected of trading more than 150 firearms between May 2021 and February of this year.

Bud Cummins, an attorney for Malinowski’s estate, released multiple clips from the Chenal Valley neighborhood the night of the raid, which the attorney claims took place while his client and wife Maer were sleeping and adds that it’s not clear agents properly identified themselves.

One of the clips, taken from the doorbell camera of a neighbor, shows that the ATF arrived in at least 10 vehicles to Malinowski’s house that evening, which has led some to question if the feds overdid it.

New video from an ATF raid on the director of Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Arkansas has raised questions about the use of force by federal agents after he was killed in a shootout

Bryan Malinowski, 53, died in the hospital at noon on Thursday, two days after the confrontation with ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock

Bryan Malinowski, 53, died in the hospital at noon on Thursday, two days after the confrontation with ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock

Both videos show the ATF agents cocking their rifles while dressed in full tactical equipment outside Malinowski’s home. 

While police have said that Malinowski fired at the agents when they served him with a warrant, Cummins claims no such warning was given. 

‘At this stage there is no publicly available evidence showing whether agents knocked on the door or announced their presence, adequately identifying themselves,’ he told KATV in a statement.

He adds that Maer Malinowski ‘only heard loud banging immediately followed by the crash of the front door being forced open.’ 

Cummins cites evidence that Malinowski shot at the agents at their feet, while they returned fire, shooting him in the head. 

He also says that it’s not clear who shot first.

‘We do not know who shot first but it appears that Bryan shot approximately three times at a decidedly low angle, probably at the feet of the intruders who were roughly 30 feet away,’ Cummins claimed. 

While agents had indeed obtained a warrant to search the director’s property and vehicles, Cummins believes their methods were suspect.

One of the clips, taken from the doorbell camera of a neighbor, shows that the ATF arrived in at least 10 vehicles to Malinowski's house that evening, which has led some to question if the feds overdid it

One of the clips, taken from the doorbell camera of a neighbor, shows that the ATF arrived in at least 10 vehicles to Malinowski’s house that evening, which has led some to question if the feds overdid it

While agents had indeed obtained a warrant to search the director's property and vehicles, Cummins believes their methods were suspect

While agents had indeed obtained a warrant to search the director’s property and vehicles, Cummins believes their methods were suspect

‘The Malinowski family believes the already known facts amply demonstrate ATF’s tactics on March 19 were reckless and incompetent, and completely unnecessary,’ he added.

The ATF has requested an investigation into the incident by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division. 

The affidavit pointed out that six of the over 150 firearms Malinowski traded were later used in crimes, and one of which ended up with a 15-year-old gang member in California.

Cummins’ statement follows up one released by Malinowski’s family after his death in which they questioned the feds’ approach. 

‘Even if the allegations in the affidavit are true, they don’t begin to justify what happened,’ his family said in the statement this evening.

‘At worst, Bryan Malinowski, a gun owner and gun enthusiast, stood accused of making private firearm sales to a person who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns.’

The investigation began in November 2023 when authorities in Canada were tipped off by an informer about guns coming unlawfully into circulation.

Malinowski would allegedly buy the guns legally online, declaring they were for personal use, and acknowledging that the ‘repetitive purchase of firearms’ for onward sale is illegal without a license.

Malinowski was shot by ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock on Tuesday when agents were trying to serve a warrant and someone inside the home opened fire

Malinowski was shot by ATF agents at his home in west Little Rock on Tuesday when agents were trying to serve a warrant and someone inside the home opened fire

His brother, Matthew Malinowski, said he thinks agents were searching the home because he 'bought something he shouldn't have'

His brother, Matthew Malinowski, said he thinks agents were searching the home because he ‘bought something he shouldn’t have’

But he was seen selling them at gun shows without asking for any ID or paperwork, telling one undercover agent that none was needed for private sales.

The ATF said that someone inside Malinowski’s home opened fire when they arrived on Tuesday and that in the ensuing shootout, Malinowski reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Speaking to Fox News last week, his brother Matthew Malinowski said that doctors did not expect him to survive.

‘It’s all speculation at this point. I got a feeling that he bought something he shouldn’t have. That’s the only thing I can think of,’ he added.  

Matthew also told NBC that agents ‘broke down his door’ leaving his brother no choice but to ‘defend himself’.

He added: ‘There’s something fishy here. The ATF went after him in the worst possible way.

‘There’s no reason why they couldn’t have arrested him at work at the airport. Something stinks to high hell.’

Matthew said it seemed odd that his brother could be entangled with the law, noting that he was well connected, earned more than $250,000 a year, lived in a nice suburb and had collections of guns and coins.

Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009

Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009

Malinowski is seen here on the right alongside Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, during a visit to Clinton National Airport last March

Malinowski is seen here on the right alongside Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, during a visit to Clinton National Airport last March

An ATF agent, whose identity was not released, also was shot in the exchange of gunfire but suffered a non-life-threatening wound, officials said. The agent, too, was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Around 2:35 pm on Tuesday, Little Rock firefighters carrying a power saw and a Halligan tool – a large prybar – were seen walking toward the house.

Shea De Bruyn, a neighbor, told KARK that she was woken up on Tuesday by loud bangs.

De Bruyn told the outlet: ‘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.’

An ATF agent was overheard saying they were at the scene to help agents open a safe in Malinowski´s house, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Malinowski joined Clinton National in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development before being promoted to deputy director in 2009. He took over as executive director in 2019.

Bill Walker, chair of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission, noted that under Malinowski’s leadership the airport saw ‘significant growth and success’ and offered condolences to Malinowski´s family.

‘Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport,’ Walker said in the statement announcing his death. ‘Under his leadership, our airport has experienced significant growth and success, expanding services and offerings to our community and state. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bryan´s wife, Maer, loved ones and friends.’

ArkansasHillary Clinton

ᴀʀᴛɪᴄʟᴇ ꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇ

Leave a Comment