ANACONDA, MONTANA – A Town on Edge as Manhunt for Armed Fugitive Intensifies After Bar Massacre

A sense of fear and disbelief has gripped the community of Anaconda, Montana, following a horrifying mass shooting at The Owl Bar on the morning of Friday, August 1, 2025. Authorities say 45-year-old Army veteran Michael Paul Brown walked into the local tavern shortly after it opened and fatally shot four people — the bartender and three longtime patrons — before fleeing the scene and disappearing into the surrounding wilderness.

What began as a quiet start to the weekend quickly turned into a scene out of a manhunt thriller, as law enforcement agencies swarmed the rugged outskirts of Anaconda, transforming the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest into the focal point of one of the state’s largest and most urgent search operations in recent memory.

Suspect Identified: A Troubled Veteran with Combat Experience

Michael Paul Brown, a former U.S. Army sergeant with a combat tour in Iraq, has been named the prime suspect in the shooting. Brown, who left the Montana National Guard in 2009, is said to have struggled with mental health issues for years. According to family members, his behavior had grown increasingly erratic in recent months — marked by paranoia, isolation, and a growing sense of unease.

While authorities have not released the names of the victims pending notification of their families, sources close to the investigation indicate that Brown may have harbored a longstanding grudge against one of the individuals killed, suggesting a possible motive for the violent outburst. However, investigators have not confirmed any direct link or confrontation that sparked Friday’s massacre.

The Escape and Manhunt

After the shooting, Brown reportedly fled the bar’s gravel parking lot in a white Ford F-150, which was later discovered abandoned off a remote trail along Stumptown Road, mud-covered and empty. Authorities believe he may have ditched the vehicle within minutes of the crime and escaped into the mountainous terrain barefoot, using his military survival training to evade detection.

“This is someone who knows these woods, knows how to disappear, and is potentially armed and extremely dangerous,” said a spokesperson for the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation.

The multi-agency manhunt has quickly scaled up, with helicopters flying low over tree canopies, tactical teams combing old mining shafts, and K-9 units tracking along pine-strewn ridges. The FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the state’s Department of Criminal Investigation have joined the search alongside local and county law enforcement.

Public on High Alert

Governor Greg Gianforte has been briefed on the evolving situation, and local officials have issued urgent advisories to residents. People living near the forest have been told to stay indoors, lock their doors and windows, keep exterior lights on, and report any suspicious activity immediately by calling 911.

Hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts have been asked to avoid the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest entirely until the suspect is apprehended. The area’s many abandoned mining shafts, dense thickets, and steep terrain are posing significant challenges for search crews.

“Our focus is on the safety of the public and the swift apprehension of this suspect,” said Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Sheriff’s Office in a late Friday press conference.

Community in Mourning

The tight-knit town of Anaconda, once a booming mining hub, is now grappling with shock, grief, and fear. Memorials are already taking shape outside The Owl Bar, where candles, flowers, and handwritten notes line the sidewalk in remembrance of the lives lost.

“This doesn’t happen here. These were good people — regulars, friends,” said one emotional resident, who described the bar as a local gathering spot. “We’re scared, but more than anything, we’re heartbroken.”

Authorities continue to urge calm while reinforcing that every available resource is being deployed to track down Michael Paul Brown and bring him into custody.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.