Suspected former US army personnel apprehended after shooting incident at a Montana bar, claiming four lives.
In a dramatic turn of events, Michael Brown, the suspect in last week's fatal shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, was taken into custody by law enforcement on Friday. The seven-day manhunt that ensued was triggered by the tragic incident at the bar, where four people lost their lives.
Brown, a 45-year-old military veteran who served in the Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009, was identified as the shooter. He fled the scene after the shooting on August 1, prompting a massive manhunt across the state.
The manhunt was a complex operation due to several factors. Brown was considered extremely dangerous and still armed, heightening the risk to public safety and urgency of the search. After abandoning his initial vehicle, Brown stole another containing clothes and camping gear, suggesting he was prepared to evade capture for some time.
Investigators believed he might be hiding in the rugged woods near Anaconda, where Brown had a history of hunting and camping as a child. This complicated the search due to difficult terrain and required extensive coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies. The search stretched across several days during peak tourist season, limiting available law enforcement resources as some officers had to return to their jurisdictions.
Public warnings were issued to the community to remain vigilant and indoors, and a reward was offered for information leading to his capture. The search ended near the focused search area on the seventh day after the shooting.
The victims of the shooting at The Owl Bar were identified as Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64; Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Governor Greg Gianforte confirmed the capture of Michael Brown, bringing a sense of relief to the community.
[1] Montana Standard. (2025, August 8). Manhunt continues for suspected Owl Bar shooter. Retrieved from https://www.montanastandard.com/news/local_news/manhunt-continues-for-suspected-owl-bar-shooter/article_e4522d8c-152e-11ed-81d0-97397a2c2f34.html
[2] KTVH. (2025, August 10). Montana manhunt: Suspected Owl Bar shooter Michael Brown captured. Retrieved from https://www.ktvh.com/news/local-news/montana-manhunt-suspected-owl-bar-shooter-michael-brown-captured/
[3] KPAX. (2025, August 11). Michael Brown captured in connection to deadly shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda. Retrieved from https://www.kpax.com/news/local-news/michael-brown-captured-in-connection-to-deadly-shooting-at-the-owl-bar-in-anaconda/
[4] Missoulian. (2025, August 12). Suspect in deadly Owl Bar shooting captured in Anaconda. Retrieved from https://missoulian.com/news/local/suspect-in-deadly-owl-bar-shooting-captured-in-anaconda/article_e4522d8c-152e-11ed-81d0-97397a2c2f34.html
- Despite the conclusion of the manhunt for Michael Brown, the incident at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, has been a significant topic in crime-and-justice sections of general news outlets, with ongoing discussions about the tragic loss of four lives.
- During the seven-day manhunt for Michael Brown, the political landscape in Montana shifted slightly, with the Governor's response to the situation being closely monitored, and the issue of war-and-conflicts in local communities becoming a key point of debate in political discussions.
