Manhunt Ends for Montana Bar Shooting Suspect After Week-Long Search

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Anaconda, Montana, A week-long manhunt for an Army veteran accused of killing four people at a local bar ended Friday when law enforcement arrested the suspect near a barn just over five miles from the crime scene. Authorities say 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown is now in custody and faces multiple charges stemming from the August 1 shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda.

The incident began at approximately 10:30 a.m. when Brown, who lived next door to the bar and was a regular patron, allegedly opened fire, killing bartender Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, and patrons Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said Brown likely knew the victims. The weapon used was a rifle, and officials warned the public throughout the search that Brown was armed and extremely dangerous.

Within hours, a SWAT team searched Brown’s home, but he was not there. A Ford F-150 linked to him was later located containing clothing, food, and outdoor gear, but he was not inside. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Montana Highway Patrol, and other agencies joined the search, which initially focused on the rugged terrain of Stumptown Road before expanding to surrounding areas.

Brown’s military record shows he served as an armor crewman in the U.S. Army from January 2001 to May 2005, deploying to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005, and later served in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009.

By August 2, authorities had released surveillance images showing Brown shirtless and wearing black shorts shortly after the shooting. Montana officials, including Knudsen, labeled the search the state’s “priority number one.” The U.S. Marshals Service initially offered a $7,500 reward for information, later increasing it to $10,000.

Governor Greg Gianforte addressed the incident on August 5, commending the cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies. He authorized emergency state funding to support the search and confirmed the Montana National Guard’s assistance, which included nearly 20 hours of aerial support over the weekend.

As days passed without capture, local residents expressed fear and frustration. Some described Brown as erratic in past encounters, while others voiced concern over his potential return to town. Community members reported increased anxiety, with business owners and residents remaining on edge.

On August 8, law enforcement received information that led them to Brown’s location on private property about five-and-a-half miles from the shooting site. Knudsen credited community tips and the work of over 130 law enforcement personnel for the arrest. The U.S. Marshals Service played a key role in the operation.

Following his arrest, Brown was taken to a hospital for medical clearance before being booked into jail. Authorities have not disclosed the charges or confirmed a motive, citing the ongoing investigation.

Knudsen praised the unified response, calling it “an unprecedented level of cooperation.” Gianforte also thanked officers for fulfilling their promise not to rest until Brown was in custody, saying, “Today we got our man.”

The town of Anaconda, home to about 9,000 residents, now looks to move forward after a week marked by fear and uncertainty.