Suspected Shooting in Montana Bar Leaves 4 Dead, Causing Intensive manhunt for Ex-US Military Personnel
In the small town of Anaconda, Montana, a sense of unease has settled over the community following a tragic incident at The Owl Bar on August 1, 2025. The shooting, which took place at approximately 10:30 a.m., claimed the lives of four individuals – the bartender and three patrons, according to bar owner David Gwerder.
The suspect in this heinous crime is identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, a military veteran with a history of service. Brown was last seen in the Stump Town area, just west of Anaconda, after fleeing the scene of the crime in a white 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck. Authorities have described him as armed and dangerous, urging residents to stay indoors and be vigilant.
Brown's military background includes a stint in the U.S. Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005, followed by service in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009. He left military service as a sergeant. However, specific details about his military service have not been publicly disclosed.
Local sources suggest that Brown had no known ongoing disputes with any of the victims. A community member speculated that he "snapped," indicating that the shooting may not have been motivated by a personal feud. Despite this, there are no confirmed reports of previous conflicts between Brown and the victims.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting. A large law enforcement presence, including officers from local and state police, has converged on the Stump Town area. A helicopter is hovering over a nearby mountainside as officers move among the trees in the search for Brown.
The town of Anaconda, founded by copper barons and home to a smelter stack that's no longer operational, has been rattled by the lockdown. Business owners such as Barbie Nelson, owner of the Firefly Café in Anaconda, have locked up their establishments and sheltered inside with customers. Sage Huot, owner of Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare, kept the children inside all day due to the shooting.
As the manhunt for Michael Paul Brown continues, the community of Anaconda stands united in mourning and hope for a swift resolution to this tragic event.
The local news is reporting on the ongoing manhunt for Michael Paul Brown in the wake of the tragic shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana. The general news also includes updates about the town being on lockdown and residents being urged to stay indoors as crime and justice issues persist.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement agencies are working together to locate Michael Paul Brown, who is identified as a military veteran with a history of service before being discharged from the Montana National Guard.
