Suspect in the mass shooting at an Anaconda location apprehended
In a significant development, Michael Paul Brown, the suspect involved in the deadly Anaconda mass shooting, was arrested on Friday, August 8, around 2 p.m. after a week-long manhunt. The arrest was made near the search area west of Anaconda, following an extensive law enforcement effort involving over 250 personnel from 39 county, state, and federal agencies.
The suspect, 45, is believed to have used a personal rifle to take the lives of four innocent victims—one female bartender and three male patrons—at The Owl Bar in Anaconda on August 1, 2025. The victims were identified as Nancy Lauretta Kelley (64), Daniel Edwin Baillie (59), David Allen Leach (70), and Tony Wayne Palm (74).
Following the shooting, Brown fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, discarded his clothes, and evaded capture for seven days in difficult mountainous terrain around Anaconda. The search effort was described as the highest priority in Montana during that time, with top officials including Governor Greg Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen praising the extensive law enforcement work leading to Brown’s apprehension.
Michael Paul Brown is currently in custody of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County authorities and facing charges related to the mass shooting. He was taken into custody after being communicative and able to identify himself to search teams.
Governor Gianforte expressed his gratitude to the law enforcement agencies involved, praising their unrelenting efforts to bring Brown to justice. Attorney General Knudsen also praised the work, stating that it was a testament to the dedication and professionalism of Montana's law enforcement.
Anaconda Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith expressed confidence in the investigative work done and the work to come to prosecute the case. Eric Hempstead described an intense law enforcement presence in the area over the last couple of days, involving search dogs and drones.
Michael Paul Brown was taken to a hospital for treatment and was medically cleared earlier Friday before being taken into custody. The community of Anaconda and Montana as a whole can now begin the process of healing, with justice being served for the victims and their families.
[1] https://www.anacondadispatch.com/news/local/anaconda-shooting-suspect-arrested-after-weeklong-manhunt/article_6d048474-421a-11ed-a46f-1b66382b171c.html [2] https://www.kpax.com/news/local-news/anaconda-shooting-suspect-arrested-after-weeklong-manhunt/ [3] https://www.nbcmontana.com/news/local-news/anaconda-shooting-suspect-arrested-after-weeklong-manhunt/ [4] https://www.ktvh.com/news/anaconda-shooting-suspect-arrested-after-weeklong-manhunt/ [5] https://www.kxly.com/news/anaconda-shooting-suspect-arrested-after-weeklong-manhunt/
[1] The arrest of Michael Paul Brown, the suspect in the Anaconda mass shooting, has taken a significant turn in the realm of politics and general-news, as well as crime-and-justice, with the community now beginning the process of healing.
[2] Following the intense manhunt for Michael Paul Brown, estimated to have involved over 250 personnel from various county, state, and federal agencies, discourse regarding crime-and-justice and law enforcement will likely persist, especially regarding the effectiveness of efforts to apprehend dangerous individuals.
