Unrest in Montana as a bar shooting occurs, causing four fatalities. Law enforcement is actively searching for the 45-year-old suspect, Michael Paul Brown, who reportedly unleashed gunfire.
In the small town of Anaconda, Montana, a tragic incident occurred on August 1, 2025, at around 10:30 am. The Owl Bar, a local establishment, was the site of a shooting that left four individuals dead.
The suspect in this heinous act has been identified as Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old resident of Anaconda. Brown is currently at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Authorities are conducting an active manhunt for him in the area west of Anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road.
Brown's house, which is adjacent to The Owl Bar, has been cleared by a SWAT team. Law enforcement agencies, including the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, the Granite County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI, are leading the search. The public is advised to avoid the area and not to approach Brown if seen but to contact 911 immediately.
Brown is believed to be driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup truck with Montana license plates. He was last seen driving west of Anaconda. The town, located in Deer Lodge County, about 75 miles southeast of Missoula, is currently under a lockdown due to the incident.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting, with the help of the Denver office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Cops have stated that there's no immediate threat to the citizens of Granite County at this time.
The identities of the victims have not been released. Cafe owner Barbie Nelson, whose Firefly Cafe is located near the scene of the crime, locked up her business at around 11 am on Friday after hearing about the shooting.
Police initially stopped a White F-150, but it was determined that it wasn't the suspect's vehicle. The FBI has also responded to the shooting, according to the FBI's Salt Lake City office spokesperson Sandra Barker.
The community of Anaconda is understandably rattled by the shooting. As the manhunt for Brown continues, the authorities urge everyone to stay vigilant and follow their instructions for safety.
The suspicious activity in Anaconda, Montana, has expanded beyond the general-news category, as the local authorities are now investigating a crime-and-justice incident involving a shooting at The Owl Bar on August 1, 2025. The wanted suspect, Michael Paul Brown, is believed to be driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup truck with Montana license plates, and he should be considered armed and dangerous.
