Senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman from Arkansas are seeking answers from the Justice Department regarding the death of Bryan Malinowski, the executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. Malinowski was shot on March 19 during a search warrant execution by ATF agents at his home and later died from his injuries. Cotton and Boozman are pushing for an explanation as to why the ATF agents involved in the incident were not wearing body cameras, in violation of the Department of Justice policy.
Bud Cummins, the attorney for Malinowski’s family, pointed out that the ATF had implemented a policy in 2022 requiring the use of body cameras during the execution of search warrants. This policy was put in place following the shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky as officers attempted to execute a search warrant. Cummins expressed disbelief at the fact that the ATF agents reportedly ignored this policy and did not wear body cameras during the execution of the search warrant at Malinowski’s home, raising more questions than answers regarding the tragic incident.
During the execution of the search warrant, Malinowski allegedly opened fire on the ATF agents, resulting in an agent being shot and sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. In the exchange of gunfire, Malinowski was shot in the head and passed away two days later. The incident is currently under review by state and local authorities in Arkansas, and the Department of Justice has declined to comment on the matter as it is still pending investigation. Malinowski was under scrutiny for allegedly selling firearms without a license, some of which were used in crimes.
Authorities reported that between May 2021 and Feb. 27, 2024, Malinowski purchased over 150 guns, which he then resold. Despite legally purchasing the firearms and indicating on purchase forms that the weapons were for himself, Malinowski allegedly resold them at gun shows where he operated as a vendor. Malinowski’s family defended him by stating that at worst, he was accused of making private firearm sales to an individual who may not have been legally entitled to purchase the guns. The family emphasized that Malinowski was a gun owner and enthusiast.
The incident involving the death of Bryan Malinowski has sparked controversy and demands for transparency from Senators Cotton and Boozman as well as Malinowski’s family attorney, Bud Cummins. Questions regarding the lack of body cameras on ATF agents during the search warrant execution, the reasoning behind Malinowski’s alleged actions, and the necessity of the force used during the incident remain unanswered. The ATF’s failure to adhere to its own policy regarding body cameras and the circumstances surrounding Malinowski’s death continue to be the subject of investigation and public scrutiny. The push for accountability and a thorough investigation into the tragic events that unfolded at Malinowski’s home remains a top priority for all parties involved.
