Manhunt Intensifies for Suspect in Montana Bar Shooting
Authorities in Montana are actively searching for Army veteran Michael Paul Brown, who is accused of killing four people at The Owl Bar in Anaconda on the morning of March 31, 2024. Following the shooting, parts of the nearby Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest were closed as law enforcement expanded their search efforts.
Brown was captured on security footage fleeing the scene of the shooting, which occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. Investigators have pinpointed the last sighting of Brown to the Stump Town area, west of Anaconda. Local, state, and federal agencies are conducting searches on the ground and from the air, with a spokesperson from the Montana Department of Justice confirming that areas surrounding Barker Lake have been locked down.
In a statement on social media, Anaconda Deer-Lodge County Chief Bill Sather warned residents that Brown is “armed and extremely dangerous.” He urged the community to remain vigilant and report any sightings to authorities.
Details of the Shooting Incident
The motivations behind the shooting remain unclear. Witnesses reported that the atmosphere in The Owl Bar was typically peaceful, making the violent incident even more shocking. According to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, the bar is currently “temporarily closed” as the investigation continues.
Cassandra Dutra, a bartender at The Owl Bar, shared her disbelief regarding the events. While she was not working during the shooting, she lives nearby and initially mistook the sounds of gunfire for construction noise. “I didn’t immediately panic because I just know the atmosphere in the Owl… it never occurred to me that anybody was hurt,” she stated.
David Gwerder, the owner of The Owl Bar, expressed his shock, emphasizing that Brown had no known conflicts with anyone present that day. “He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped,” Gwerder commented.
Background of the Suspect
Michael Paul Brown served as part of an armored vehicle crew in the US Army from January 2001 to May 2005, with a deployment to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005. Later, he joined the Montana National Guard until March 2009, leaving military service as a sergeant.
His niece, Clare Boyle, revealed that Brown struggled with mental health issues stemming from his time in the Army and that his condition worsened following the deaths of his parents. Boyle described him as “very sick” but also recalled moments of joy they shared together. She expressed deep sorrow for the victims’ families, noting that the tragedy has left five families “destroyed.”
The Army has declined to disclose any information regarding Brown’s mental health history, citing privacy policies.
Ongoing Search Operations
The search for Brown is focused not only on Barker Lake but also on the area around Stumptown Road, where authorities are optimistic about locating him. Local resident Dan Haffey, who previously served as a fire foreman, described the challenging terrain, stating, “There’s a thousand places to hide on that mountain… That mountain is gigantic.”
Witnesses reported that helicopter searches were conducted until late on Friday night and resumed early on Saturday morning. Randy Clark, a nearby resident, noted the presence of law enforcement and the intensity of the search efforts, including the sounds of sirens and helicopters.
Although authorities located a white Ford F-150 truck belonging to Brown shortly after the shooting, he was not found in or around the vehicle. Investigators from the FBI, along with local law enforcement, are collaborating to bring Brown into custody.
As of now, the identities of the four victims have not been released, pending notification of their families. Cassandra Dutra believes that every person present in the bar during the shooting, including a fellow bartender and three customers, was killed.
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the normally quiet community of Anaconda, leaving many searching for answers as the manhunt for Michael Paul Brown continues.
