Update: Malinowski Illegally Sold Guns, 6 Later Linked to Crimes, Affidavit Says

A file photo of Bryan Malinowski, former executive director of Clinton National Airport (Karen E. Segrave)

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Update (3/21): Bryan Malinowski purchased more than 150 guns since May 2021 and resold many of them as an unlicensed vendor at Arkansas gun shows, and six of the weapons ended up being linked to crimes, according a probable cause affidavit unsealed Thursday.

The affidavit, released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and posted online by the Arkansas Times, details allegations that led to the deadly shootout between federal agents and Malinowski at his home in Little Rock this week. It sheds light on a three-month investigation that involved Malinowski making illegal gun sales to undercover agents and authorities placing a tracking device on the airport-owned vehicle he used.

A search warrant signed and sealed March 6 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe authorized the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to seize from Malinowski’s home electronic devices, bank records and any other possible evidence that he had violated federal gun laws.

According to the affidavit, the late executive director of Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport legally purchased the guns, usually from gunbroker.com, and completed forms stating that the weapons were for his own use. He then resold the guns — all of those listed in the court document are pistols — at gun shows for hundreds of dollars apiece.

Under subpoena, the website provided purchase records that allowed authorities to identify Malinowski as the original buyer.

Two of the guns that Malinowski sold ended up being linked to crimes in California, according to the affidavit. Police in January arrested a 15-year-old gang member in the area of a shooting and robbery and recovered a gun that Malinowski had originally purchased. The second gun traced to Malinowski was recovered by a drug and gang task force in February.

Other guns traced back to Malinowski were recovered in central Arkansas during traffic stops involving suspected marijuana.

One of those stops yielded a witness for investigators, a convicted robber who could not legally own a firearm but said he had purchased three directly from Malinowski, the affidavit said.

The witness said the first purchase happened at a gun show at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds and that Malinowski’s only question during the transaction was whether the witness was 18 years old. Text messages showed the two arranging additional purchases, which happened in parking lots at area businesses, the affidavit said. Malinowski also offered to sell guns to the witness’ friends.

The witness’ name, the names of investigators and some specific locations were redacted in the affidavit.

Agents started surveilling Malinowski in December at a Conway gun show.  There, an undercover ATF agent saw Malinowski sell guns to several people without asking for identification or paperwork. Photos of the transactions taking place were included in the affidavit.

At a gun show in January, undercover ATF agents purchased three guns from Malinowski. He allegedly told the agents that he sells guns at gun shows in Benton, Conway and Memphis, and that because he’s a private seller, the transactions don’t require paperwork and the customer just has to be over 21 years old.

Malinowski gave the agents his phone number and told them they could contact him outside of gun shows to buy more firearms. When an agent told Malinowski that he had family and friends who might be interested in buying, Malinowski replied OK and said, “Cash, no paper.”

Agents that night observed Malinowski driving around an area of Little Rock “known for violent crime” and known for “buying and selling contraband such as firearms and controlled substances, specifically during the evening and midnight hours,” the affidavit said.

Agents on Feb. 8 tried to follow Malinowski in his vehicle, but lost sight of him due to his “reckless driving.” The agents said he ran multiple red lights and merged across two lanes of traffic on the highway on two occasions, leaving them unable to keep up “without risking the safety of other motorists.” He was driving an airport-owned vehicle, a 2022 Toyota Highlander. Agents later tried to surveil Malinowski at Clinton National Airport but he parked in a secured area that agents could not access.

On Feb. 20, agents placed a tracking device on the Toyota Highlander and observed Malinowski driving in circular patterns around the same neighborhoods for hours.

In March, he was observed operating as a unlicensed vendor at another gun show in Arkansas.

Malinowski was suspected of violating federal laws that prohibit unlicensed firearms sales and making false or misleading statements about the legality of such sales.

Update (3/21): An attorney for the family of Bryan Malinowski released a statement Thursday afternoon that said a gun sale was linked to the search warrant federal authorities executed at Malinowski’s home in Little Rock.

“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,” said the statement released by Little Rock attorney Bud Cummins.

The statement cites an affidavit that was set to be made public later Thursday. The family is concerned about the allegations against him, but even of those allegations are true, they “don’t begin to justify what happened,” Cummins said on behalf of the family.

Malinowski, 53, allegedly opened fire on U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents about 6 a.m. Tuesday as they served the warrant. One agent was hit. Another agent returned fire, hitting Malinowski.

Malinowski died from his injuries Thursday morning. Authorities have not provided an update on the injured agent’s condition.

“Our family has endured an unspeakable tragedy and one that is almost impossible to understand. We are mourning the loss of Bryan, who passed away earlier today,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers also go out to the government agent who was injured yesterday, and to his family.

“We do not understand the government’s decisions which led to a dawn raid on a private home and triggered the use of deadly force.”

Update (3/21): Bryan Malinowski has died from his injuries, Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission Chair Bill Walker said in a statement Thursday.

“With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of our executive director Bryan Malinowski. Bryan was a 16-year employee of the airport. 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,” Walker said.

Authorities have not released new information on the shootout. There was no word Thursday on the condition of the federal agent who was wounded or the reason authorities searched Malinowski’s home.

Neighbors and Malinowski’s brother, Matthew, have told local media outlets that Bryan Malinowski collected and sold firearms. The Arkansas Times reported that agents could be seen removing long guns and what looked to be gun cases and ammunition boxes from Bryan Malinowski’s home in west Little Rock after the shooting.

Original story: A man injured in a shootout with federal authorities Tuesday morning in west Little Rock has been identified as Bryan Malinowski, the executive director of Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.

Malinowski, 53, allegedly opened fire as agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served a search warrant at his home at 4 Durance Court about 6 a.m., Arkansas Business news partner KTHV reported. One agent was hit. A second agent returned fire, hitting Malinowski.

The agent’s injuries weren’t life-threatening, according to Arkansas State Police. Malinowski was treated at the scene before taken to an area hospital. State police said his condition was unknown.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas is investigating.

Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission Chair Bill Walker named Tom Clarke, the airport’s deputy director, as acting executive director. Commission meetings scheduled for Thursday were postponed, but the airport’s day-to-to operations will continue as normal.

“Today’s incident saddens us, and we pray for everyone involved,” Walker said in a statement.

Malinowski joined the airport in 2008 as director of properties, planning and development. He was promoted to deputy director in 2009 and named executive director in 2019 after Ron Mathieu stepped down from the position to become president and CEO of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama.

Malinowski previously held leadership positions at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, El Paso International Airport and Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Pulaski County property records show Malinowski has owned the home in Chenal Valley since 2008.