Manhunt Underway for Ex-US Soldier Accused of Killing Four in Montana Bar

A manhunt is underway for 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, a former United States Army soldier, who is suspected of fatally shooting four individuals at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana. The tragic incident occurred on Friday at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation confirmed that four people were declared dead at the scene.

Brown, identified as a military veteran, lived next door to the bar. Public records and David Gwerder, the owner of The Owl Bar, confirm Brown’s close proximity to the crime scene. According to Gwerder, who was not present at the time of the shooting, the victims included one bartender and three patrons. He stated that Brown personally knew everyone who was in the bar at the time, and emphasized that there were no known ongoing disputes between Brown and the victims. Gwerder believes that Brown may have suffered a mental breakdown or "snapped," leading to the unprovoked attack.

The shooting shocked the community of Anaconda, a small town in southwest Montana with a population of around 9,000 people. Located about 109 miles (175 kilometers) west of Bozeman, Anaconda has now become the center of a high-priority police operation. Following the incident, a SWAT team searched and cleared Brown’s residence. Meanwhile, Montana Senator Steve Daines confirmed that an extensive and coordinated manhunt has been launched, using advanced surveillance tools including drones.

Authorities have reported that Brown was last seen in the nearby Stump Town area, located just west of Anaconda. Law enforcement considers him to be armed and extremely dangerous. The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center has issued public warnings advising residents to remain indoors and keep their doors locked. Citizens have been urged not to approach the suspect under any circumstances if spotted.

More than a dozen law enforcement officers have deployed to the heavily wooded and mountainous terrain of Stump Town. The area has been locked down completely — no one is allowed in or out — as police search for Brown in the dense forest. Randy Clark, a retired police officer who lives in the area, observed police helicopters circling the mountainside while officers moved through the trees on foot.

Details about Brown’s military background have also come to light. A spokesperson for the U.S. Army confirmed that Brown served as an armor crewman between 2001 and 2005. During that time, he was deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005. After his active duty service, Brown joined the Montana National Guard and served from 2006 to 2009.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte addressed the incident in a social media post, stating that he is “closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda.” The community remains on high alert as law enforcement continues its efforts to apprehend Brown and bring him to justice.