Vehicle discovered in manhunt for alleged bar murderer in Montana; authorities confirm
In the small town of Anaconda, Montana, a manhunt is underway as authorities search for Michael Paul Brown, the suspect in the shooting at The Owl Bar that occurred on August 1, 2025.
Brown, a 45-year-old Army veteran, is believed to have killed four individuals at the bar before fleeing the scene in a white pickup truck. The vehicle was later found abandoned, but Brown has not been located.
The search for Brown is currently focused in the mountains near Stumptown Road, west of Anaconda, with helicopters and ground teams involved. The suspect is considered armed and extremely dangerous, and a reward of $7,500 has been offered for information leading to his capture.
Authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant and indoors. Brown served in the Army from 2001 to 2005, including a deployment to Iraq, and was part of the Montana National Guard until 2009. He was known to local law enforcement and reportedly had a history of mental illness according to family members.
The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed, and Brown is believed to be familiar with the mountainous terrain where the search is focused. The scene of the shooting is now secure, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
The identities of the victims have not been released yet, pending notification of their families. The owner of The Owl Bar, David Gwerder, stated that Brown knew everyone in the bar.
Multiple local, state, and federal agencies are involved in the search for Brown, including the FBI, the Denver office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Granite County Sheriff's Office.
The shooting on August 1 marked the latest in a series of mass shootings in the US, with Friday's violence being among at least 256 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke and Governor Greg Gianforte have expressed their condolences for the victims and their families, and have encouraged people in the area to stay safe.
Randy Clark, a retired police officer, observed a helicopter flying near his home in the area where the search for Brown is ongoing. CNN reached out to David Gwerder, the owner of The Owl Bar, for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
As the manhunt for Michael Paul Brown continues, the community of Anaconda remains on edge, hoping for a swift resolution and a return to normalcy.
[1] Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center advises public to stay out of the area and not to approach Brown. [2] The shooter, Michael Paul Brown, did not have any known conflicts with anyone in the bar at the time of the shooting. [3] Brown's white Ford F-150 was found, but he was not located in or around the vehicle. [4] Montana Governor Greg Gianforte expressed prayers for the victims, their families, and the law enforcement officers. [5] Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke encouraged people in the area to stay inside and lock their doors.
- The ongoing manhunt for Michael Paul Brown in the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County has led the local law enforcement center to advise the public to avoid the area and not approach Brown, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
- Despite reports suggesting that Michael Paul Brown had a history of mental illness, there was no known conflict with anyone at The Owl Bar at the time of the shooting, where he is believed to have killed four individuals.
