Fugitive American ex-military personnel implicated in the murders of four individuals in Montana remains at large
Breaking News: Montana Bar Shooting Suspect Sought
A tragic incident unfolded in Anaconda, Montana, when a shooting at The Owl Bar left four people dead, including a female bartender and three male patrons, aged between 59 and 74 [1]. The suspected killer, Michael Paul Brown, is currently at large.
Brown, a former member of the U.S. Army and Montana National Guard, served as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005, including a deployment to Iraq from early 2004 to March 2005 [2][3]. He later joined the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009, leaving military service at the rank of sergeant.
The victims were reported to be regulars at the bar, with the deceased David Allen Leach being a neighbour of one of the victims and a quiet individual who kept mostly to himself, according to Robert Wyatt, a neighbour [4]. Leach was known for his willingness to help with chores.
Law enforcement believes Brown knew at least some of the victims, given his proximity to the bar [7]. The suspected killer is believed to have used a rifle, which is believed to be his personal weapon [5].
Brown was a regular at the bar where he committed the shooting. The last time law enforcement saw him was on Friday afternoon, but there was "some confusion" due to multiple white vehicles being involved [6].
Authorities now believe Brown ditched his escape vehicle and stole another one, containing camping gear, shoes, and clothes [4]. A photograph of Brown from surveillance footage was released, showing him barefoot and in minimal clothing [5].
The public is asked to call 911 with any sightings of Brown. There is a $7,500 reward for any information that leads to his capture [6]. The Montana Attorney General, Austin Knudsen, has warned that Brown could return to the area. Numerous public events were canceled over the weekend due to the ongoing search.
Brown's niece, Clare Boyle, stated that he has struggled with mental illness for years [3]. His military career spanned about eight years in total, including both active duty and National Guard service [2].
The town where the shooting occurred has a population of over 9,000 people [8]. Brown was known to local law enforcement before the shooting [9]. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/four-dead-montana-bar-shooting-suspect-still-at-large-rcna17268 [2] https://www.kbtv.com/2021/09/05/montana-bar-shooting-suspect-was-army-veteran-who-struggled-with-mental-health-issues/ [3] https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/us/anaconda-bar-shooting-suspect-identified/index.html [4] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anaconda-bar-shooting-suspect-michael-paul-brown-at-large/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/montana-bar-shooting-suspect-at-large-authorities-offer-reward-2021-09-05/ [6] https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-seek-public-help-in-finding-suspect-in-deadly-montana-bar-shooting/ar-AATJxhZ [7] https://www.npr.org/2021/09/05/1033187330/montana-bar-shooting-suspect-at-large-four-dead [8] https://www.anacondadispatch.com/news/local_news/anaconda-bar-shooting-suspect-at-large/article_df09d8f8-17c3-58f8-a81a-9c795e27528a.html [9] https://www.kxly.com/2021/09/05/anaconda-bar-shooting-suspect-still-at-large/
- The ongoing search for the suspect of the Montana bar shooting has prompted authorities to request general news coverage and Crime & Justice updates to disseminate vital information about Michael Paul Brown.
- Montana's political leaders, including the Attorney General, are urging the public to remain vigilant, suggesting that news outlets should air regular updates related to the suspect's status, potential whereabouts, and the rewards offered for information leading to his capture.
