Law enforcement officials intensely search rugged terrain in Montana for unidentified subject
In the small town of Anaconda, Montana, a manhunt is underway for Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old former U.S. soldier and National Guard member, wanted for a tragic shooting incident at The Owl Bar.
Brown, who served as an armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005, including a deployment to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005, left military service with the rank of sergeant. He continued service in the Montana National Guard from April 2006 to March 2009.
On Friday, Brown is suspected of fatally shooting four people – the bartender and three patrons – at The Owl Bar. The victims' names will be released once all their families have been notified. Brown fled the scene in a white pickup truck and later abandoned it.
The search for Brown is focused on an area off Stumptown Road west of Anaconda, involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies, including the Montana National Guard. The lockdown of the Stumptown Road area was lifted on Saturday.
Officials have emphasized that Brown is believed to be armed and extremely dangerous. He is described as a gaunt, barefoot man wearing black shorts, as seen in a photo released by authorities. Reports suggest that he may now be clothed and carrying camping gear, having stolen a vehicle stocked with survival supplies.
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is overseeing the case, with hundreds of officers from local, state, and federal agencies participating in the manhunt. A helicopter was seen hovering over a nearby mountainside during the search, and officers were observed moving among the trees in the search area.
Randy Clark, a retired police officer, was among those who assisted in the search. Anaconda-Deer Lodge Police Chief Bill Sather has urged caution even as businesses in the area can reopen. Business owners in Anaconda locked their doors and sheltered inside with customers after word of the shooting spread.
Anaconda, home to roughly 9,000 people, was founded by copper barons and is known for its nearby mines and a smelter stack. The peaceful town has been shaken by this tragic incident, and the community is hopeful for a swift resolution to the manhunt.
Clare Boyle, Brown's niece, stated that he has struggled with mental illness for years. However, the owner of The Owl Bar, Gwerder, was not aware of any conflicts between Brown and the victims. Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar.
Authorities continue to urge the public to call 911 if they spot Brown or have any information that could aid in his capture. The community remains on edge as the manhunt continues, but the spirit of Anaconda remains strong in the face of adversity.
- Law enforcement agencies, including the Montana National Guard, are actively searching for Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old former soldier, in a dangerous manhunt related to a tragic shooting incident at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana.
- The case is being overseen by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, with hundreds of officers from local, state, and federal agencies participating in the search.
- Despite the ongoing manhunt, businesses in the Anaconda area are gradually resuming operations, though owners remain cautious following the shooting incident.
- The peaceful community of Anaconda, known for its copper mining history, has been shaken by this tragic event, but the spirit of the community remains strong in the face of adversity.
- Reports suggest that Michael Paul Brown, who has struggled with mental illness for years, may now be clothed and carrying camping gear, having stolen a vehicle stocked with survival supplies.
