Suspected ex-military personnel implicated in a deadly shooting at a Montana bar, causing a widespread search
In the small town of Anaconda, Montana, a tragic event unfolded on August 1, 2025, as a shooting at The Owl Bar left four local residents dead[1][2][3]. The suspect in this heinous crime has been identified as 45-year-old military veteran Michael Paul Brown[1].
The shooting took place around 10:30 a.m. on a Friday morning, and Brown, who lived next door to the bar, is believed to have known the victims well[2]. The victims included the bar's female bartender and three male patrons, all aged between 59 and 74 years[1][2][3].
Brown, a former U.S. Army soldier, served in the military from 2001 to 2005, and was deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005[3]. He left military service in the rank of sergeant and was a member of the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009[3].
Authorities believe Brown to be armed and dangerous, and a manhunt is ongoing several days after the shooting[1][3]. Brown fled the scene after the shooting, and was last seen in the Stump Town area, just west of Anaconda[1].
Businesses in Anaconda, a town founded by copper barons in the late 1800s and located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Missoula, locked their doors and sheltered their customers due to the shooting[3]. The Montana Highway Patrol has issued public safety warnings, as there are concerns that Brown may return to the area[1][2][3].
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into this tragic incident[3]. Sage Huot, owner of Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare, kept the children inside all day after receiving a call about the violence[3]. Barbie Nelson, owner of the Firefly Café in Anaconda, locked up her business at about 11 a.m. Friday after getting alerted to the shooting[3].
This article was reported by AP writers in Billings, Montana, Denver, and Bellingham, Washington[3]. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Suspect in Montana bar shooting identified. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/anaconda-montana-bar-shooting-5b90816647c6f0b464d846d02714d7a4 [2] Associated Press. (2025, August 2). Four dead in Montana bar shooting. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/anaconda-montana-bar-shooting-5b90816647c6f0b464d846d02714d7a4 [3] Associated Press. (2025, August 3). Manhunt continues for Montana bar shooting suspect. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/anaconda-montana-bar-shooting-5b90816647c6f0b464d846d02714d7a4
The ongoing manhunt for Michael Paul Brown, the suspect in the heinous crime committed at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, has sparked general-news interest, with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation leading the investigation. In parallel, the tragic event has also impacted the local politics, with the Montana Highway Patrol issuing public safety warnings due to concerns about Brown's possible return to the area.
