A quiet Friday morning in Anaconda, Montana, turned into chaos when gunfire inside a neighborhood bar left four people dead and set off a major manhunt for the shooter.
According to the Daily Mail, authorities say 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown opened fire at the Owl Bar around 10:30 a.m., killing the bartender and three patrons before fleeing the scene, triggering a citywide shelter-in-place order and an urgent search by local, state, and federal agencies.
The shooting occurred inside the Owl Bar, located in the heart of Anaconda, a city of fewer than 10,000 residents in western Montana. Witnesses reported that Brown entered the establishment with a rifle and began firing without warning. Police identified Brown shortly after the incident, confirming that he is a resident who lives next door to the bar.
Officers responded within minutes and immediately evacuated the surrounding area. The Anaconda Deer-Lodge County Law Enforcement Center issued a statement urging residents to remain indoors, declaring Brown "armed and dangerous" as teams searched nearby neighborhoods and wooded terrain. Brown’s home, situated adjacent to the Owl Bar, was the first place officers searched. A SWAT team raided the residence, but he was not found there. Heavy tactical units were later spotted west of town conducting further searches.
Large-Scale Search Effort Develops in Rural Area
Authorities received a credible sighting of Brown near the Stump Town area later that day — a rural, forested location west of Anaconda. At the time, Brown was reportedly wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana. Police concentrated their search around Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road, advising the public to steer clear for safety reasons.
The Montana Highway Patrol confirmed an increased law enforcement presence in that area and repeated warnings for residents to avoid it. A white Ford F-150 was briefly pursued, but officers later confirmed Brown was not inside the vehicle, indicating he remained elusive despite ground efforts. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation confirmed that four individuals died at the scene of the shooting. Federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, joined the case, acknowledging that multiple victims were shot inside the Owl Bar as part of the coordinated law enforcement response.
Community Stunned by Violence and Lockdown
News of the attack shook Anaconda’s tight-knit community. Many residents, unaccustomed to such violence, took shelter and closed their businesses in response to alerts. Barbie Nelson, who owns the Firefly Café nearby, said she locked up after receiving a warning from a friend about the incident. “We are Montana, so guns are not new to us,” she said. “For our town to be locked down, everybody’s pretty rattled.”
Nearby residents reported seeing a man matching Brown’s description walking openly with a rifle. Social media posts circulated rapidly, including an image of the suspect released by the sheriff’s office to aid the public in identifying him if seen. Brown's actions have left many searching for answers, especially given recent concerns about his mental health. Residents who knew him say his behavior had been unstable for a while, and some claim they reached out for help but saw little response.
Suspect’s Mental Health Raised as a Concern
Claims from individuals close to Brown paint a picture of a man struggling with serious psychological issues. A woman who identified herself as a relative of Brown posted online, urging greater recognition of mental illness, especially for individuals seeking help but not receiving the support they need.
One of Brown's longtime acquaintances described him on social media as a "combat veteran" suffering from PTSD. According to the post, Brown would recount delusional stories claiming he was still serving in secret military operations and exhibited clear signs of deteriorating mental stability. The post continued, stating that local efforts had been made to alert authorities about Brown's behavior. “He was always polite,” the friend wrote, “but I watched his mental health decline. PTSD is a serious disease.” The user ended their message by offering condolences to the victims’ families and expressing frustration that mental health warnings had gone unheeded.
Officials Respond to Crisis and Urge Vigilance
Throughout the day, law enforcement agencies continued working together in their attempt to locate the suspect. The Granite County Sheriff’s Office confirmed late in the evening that Brown was still at large as of 11:45 p.m. ET. Officers continued to comb wooded areas and monitor all exit routes from the region.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte issued a public message through his office, noting that he and his wife were closely following developments. He urged the public to “please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy.” Media coverage intensified throughout the day as photographers captured images of police and special response teams moving through Anaconda’s streets. NBC Montana reporter Josh Margolis shared a photo of a SWAT unit positioned near the crime scene early in the afternoon.
Community Remains on Edge as Manhunt Continues
The manhunt for Brown continues, leaving residents deeply unsettled. The lockdown remains in effect, and alerts from authorities are ongoing. With the shooter still at large and little indication of his next move, the fear across town is palpable. Some locals expressed feeling caught between sorrow and frustration amid the unfolding tragedy. Residents say they are bracing for a long night as authorities continue their search into the early morning hours of Saturday.
As investigators piece together what led to the shooting and work to apprehend the suspect, the city of Anaconda remains united in grief and hope for resolution. More updates are expected as the manhunt progresses and as law enforcement officials continue to coordinate their efforts both on the ground and with federal partners.
