Manhunt Expands for Suspect in Deadly Montana Bar Shooting

The tragic shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda has shocked the local community as authorities scramble to locate the veteran who is suspected of the crime.

Authorities in Montana are intensifying their search for army veteran Michael Paul Brown, who is sought for allegedly killing four people during a bar shooting that took place early Friday morning at The Owl Bar. The victims include bartender Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, and customers Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Following the incident, which left the picturesque town of Anaconda reeling, Brown reportedly fled into nearby foothills, prompting law enforcement agencies to launch a substantial manhunt.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen described Brown, 45, as an "unstable individual" and said, "This is a dangerous individual who has committed an absolute heinous crime against this community." In response to the situation, authorities have broadened their search to cover national forest areas surrounding Anaconda, which is home to around 10,000 residents, many of whom have been left in shock by the developments.

Currently, around 250 officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement are involved in the search efforts, using both traditional means and aerial support. The shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 AM, with reports indicating that Brown was familiar to the bar staff and patrons, raising further concerns about the motivations behind the attack.

Cassandra Dutra, a fellow barmaid, noted that while Brown often frequented the pub, he was not part of the close-knit community. Nancy Kelley, the victim’s daughter, expressed her disbelief at the eruption of violence in what was once a peaceful town, stating, "We didn’t even lock our cars outside."

While investigators are actively pursuing leads, they have not ruled out the possibility that Brown may have harmed himself but are currently operating under the assumption that he is alive and armed. The authorities have acquired a white Ford F-150 truck believed to have been used in the escape, but no additional traces of him have surfaced.

In the wake of the tragedy, multiple local businesses temporarily shut down operations, with several events being canceled amid safety concerns. Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, shared with the Associated Press that her uncle has long struggled with mental health issues, underlining the complexities surrounding the individual behind such a senseless act of violence. As the manhunt progresses, the community remains on high alert, desperately hoping for a resolution to this ongoing ordeal.