Manhunt Intensifies for Suspect in Montana Bar Shooting That Killed Four
August 3, 2025 – A massive manhunt continues in Anaconda, Montana, for Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old former U.S. Army and Montana National Guard member suspected of fatally shooting four people at The Owl Bar on Friday, August 1, 2025. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, has left the small town of about 9,000 residents reeling, prompting a lockdown and widespread fear as authorities search for the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous.
The Shooting and Its Aftermath
The shooting took place at The Owl Bar, a historic establishment in Anaconda’s Goosetown neighborhood, built in 1893 to serve copper workers. According to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation, Brown allegedly entered the bar and opened fire, killing a bartender and three patrons, who were likely the only people present at the time. Bar owner David Gwerder, who was not at the scene, told the Associated Press that Brown was well-known in the bar and had no known disputes with the victims, suggesting he “just snapped.”
The victims have been identified by authorities, but their names have not been released pending family notifications. Cassandra Dutra, a bartender at The Owl Bar, told CNN she believes everyone in the bar at the time was killed, describing the event as “totally overwhelming.”
The Suspect: Michael Paul Brown
Brown, a military veteran who served as an armor crewman in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005, including a deployment to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005, and in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009, left the service with the rank of sergeant. Public records confirm he lived next door to The Owl Bar, and his home was cleared by a SWAT team shortly after the shooting.
Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, told the Associated Press that her uncle has struggled with mental health issues for years, describing him as “a sick man who doesn’t know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn’t know where or when he is either.” She emphasized that the incident was not the act of a “drunk/high man going wild” but rather the result of untreated mental illness, despite family efforts to seek help.
Authorities released a security camera image of Brown fleeing the scene, barefoot and shirtless, wearing black shorts. He was last seen driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup with Montana plates DTY493, which was later found abandoned near Stumptown Road, west of Anaconda.
The Manhunt
The search for Brown has entered its third day, with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and FBI, scouring the mountainous terrain near Stumptown Road. The operation involves ground searches, helicopters, and drones, with authorities describing the area as dense and difficult to navigate.
Randy Clark, a retired police officer living near the search area, reported hearing sirens and seeing helicopters, noting that officers were shouting during the search, though it’s unclear if they were addressing Brown or coordinating among themselves. The Granite County Sheriff’s Office has urged residents to stay indoors, lock their doors, and report any sightings of Brown to 911, warning that he is believed to be armed.
Community Impact
The shooting, the deadliest in Montana since a 2015 murder-suicide in the same county, has shaken Anaconda, a tight-knit community founded by copper barons in the late 1800s. Local businesses, including the Firefly Café and Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare, locked down after the incident, with owners like Barbie Nelson and Sage Huot describing a rattled community unaccustomed to such violence despite familiarity with firearms.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Senator Steve Daines have expressed support for the victims and law enforcement, with Gianforte stating on X that he is “closely monitoring the situation” and urging prayers for those affected. The Anaconda Leader, a local newspaper, closed its office and delayed its Friday edition due to the lockdown.
Broader Context
The Owl Bar shooting is the ninth mass murder in the U.S. in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines such incidents as killings with four or more victims. It marks the second mass murder since Monday, following a shooting at an NFL headquarters in New York City. The incident has reignited discussions about gun violence and mental health, particularly given Brown’s reported struggles and military background.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and details about the events leading up to it remain scarce. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the effort, with Administrator Lee Johnson emphasizing that Brown’s actions do not reflect the values of Anaconda or Montana. The search continues with no immediate threat reported in neighboring Granite County, but residents are advised to remain vigilant.
As the manhunt stretches on, the community of Anaconda awaits answers and closure, while law enforcement faces the challenge of locating a suspect in a vast, rugged landscape. Anyone with information is urged to contact Anaconda/Deer Lodge Law Enforcement at 406-563-5241.
Sources: NBC News, AP News, CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Montana Standard