Four Killed in Montana Bar Shooting; Former U.S. Soldier Named as Suspect

Written: August 2, 2025, 20:00 (U.S. Pacific Time)

A tragic shooting at a bar in Anaconda, Montana, left four individuals dead on Friday morning. Authorities have identified the suspect as a 45-year-old former U.S. Army soldier, prompting an intensive manhunt across a nearby mountainous area. Local residents and businesses remained on high alert throughout the day as law enforcement agencies locked down the region.

Deadly Shooting Reported at The Owl Bar in Anaconda

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation confirmed that a shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Friday at The Owl Bar, a local establishment located in downtown Anaconda. Four victims—one bartender and three patrons—were found deceased at the scene.

According to bar owner David Gwerder, who was not present at the time, the victims and the suspect were all familiar with one another. “He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that,” Gwerder said. “He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.”

Suspect Identified as Army Veteran Michael Paul Brown

Authorities have identified the suspect as Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old resident of Anaconda who lived next door to the bar. Public records and statements from local officials confirmed Brown’s identity.

Brown previously served in the United States Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005, including deployment to Iraq between 2004 and 2005, according to Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson. He later joined the Montana National Guard, serving until 2009, and separated from the military at the rank of sergeant.

At the time of publication, Brown was still at large and believed to be armed. Law enforcement agencies launched a wide-scale search operation in the nearby Stump Town area west of Anaconda. SWAT teams cleared his residence, but the suspect was not found inside.

Lockdown and Large-Scale Search Operation

In response to the shooting, more than a dozen officers from local and state agencies converged on the surrounding mountainous terrain. Aerial support, including a helicopter, assisted in the search, flying low over wooded areas as officers moved through the landscape on foot.

According to retired police officer Randy Clark, who resides near the Stump Town area, a full lockdown was imposed. “No one was allowed in or out,” he said, describing the visible police presence and activity on the hillside.

The Montana Highway Patrol issued a statement confirming that Brown is considered armed and dangerous.

Impact on the Community: Businesses and Schools Lock Down

As word of the incident spread, residents and businesses across Anaconda took immediate precautions. Many establishments closed their doors and advised customers to stay inside. The owner of Firefly Café, Barbie Nelson, described her decision to lock up shortly after hearing about the shooting.

“We are Montana, so guns are not new to us,” Nelson said. “For our town to be locked down, everybody’s pretty rattled.”

At Caterpillars to Butterflies Childcare, a nursery located just a few blocks from the bar, owner Sage Huot described swift action to ensure the children’s safety.

“We’re constantly doing practice drills—fire drills and active shooter drills—so we locked down the facility,” Huot explained. “We have a quiet spot where we play activities away from all our windows and doors.”

The town of Anaconda, located about 75 miles southeast of Missoula, is home to approximately 9,000 residents. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, the community was originally founded during the copper mining boom of the late 1800s. Today, the historic smelter stack still towers over the landscape, symbolizing the town’s industrial roots.

No Known Motive; Investigation Ongoing

As of Saturday, officials had not identified a motive for the shooting. Authorities stated there were no known prior conflicts between Brown and the victims. While the investigation is ongoing, community members and officials expressed shock and disbelief over the events.

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the case with support from the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Sheriff’s Office and the Montana Highway Patrol.

Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid the search area. Anyone with information on Brown’s whereabouts is asked to contact local authorities immediately.

Community in Mourning

The loss of four lives in a close-knit town has left many residents grieving. As tributes and condolences began to circulate across local social media and community pages, the focus now turns to supporting the families of the victims and restoring a sense of safety.

Local authorities are expected to release the names of the victims once next of kin have been notified. Meanwhile, grief counselors and support services are being coordinated to help community members cope with the tragedy.