The widow of an Arkansas airport director is taking legal action against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after her husband was killed during a raid last year. Maria “Maer” Malinowski filed the lawsuit in federal court, claiming that the ATF and several agents acted recklessly and negligently during the incident.
Bryan Malinowski, who served as the executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, died days after being shot on March 19, 2024. The ATF was executing a warrant at his home in Little Rock when the shooting occurred. According to the agency, Malinowski fired at the agents, injuring one, which led them to return fire.
The warrant was related to allegations that Malinowski had purchased over 150 firearms between May 2021 and February 2024. Reports suggest he resold many of these guns without a dealer’s license. Maria Malinowski’s lawsuit argues that the ATF violated her and her husband’s constitutional rights by not properly announcing their presence before entering the home. The complaint states that the agents did not give Malinowski enough time to respond, leading to a tragic outcome.
In her lawsuit, Maria seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial. She expressed her distress, stating, “Today’s lawsuit seeks justice for the nightmare I’ve been living for the last 14 months.” She believes that her husband thought the agents were intruders because they did not knock before entering.
The ATF has not commented on the ongoing legal matter. A local prosecutor previously determined that the actions of the ATF agent who shot Malinowski were justified. The incident has drawn criticism from some Arkansas Republican lawmakers who are demanding more transparency from the ATF regarding the raid.
Bryan Malinowski was known as a passionate gun collector, often attending shows to buy, sell, and trade firearms. His widow’s lawsuit highlights the emotional toll the incident has taken on her life and seeks accountability from the agency involved.