Authorities in Montana are continuing the search for a suspect accused of killing four people at a local bar Wednesday morning.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. on August 1 inside The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a town of about 10,000 residents in southwest Montana, according to CBS News.
Law enforcement officials have identified Michael Paul Brown, 45, as the suspect. He is described as “armed and dangerous” and remains at large as of Saturday.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook:
“There is an active shooter in Anaconda Deer Lodge.”
Brown was last seen in Anaconda’s Stumptown neighborhood. He was reportedly wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana. Authorities believe he may now be traveling in a stolen pickup truck stocked with camping gear and supplies. A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Officials said SWAT cleared Brown’s home in Anaconda, but the suspect was not located. Search efforts have expanded into rugged terrain around Stumptown Road using both ground teams and aircraft. Authorities have warned that Brown may attempt to return to the area.
The four victims have been publicly identified as:
Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64
Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59
David Allen Leach, 70
Tony Wayne Palm, 74
All four were residents of Anaconda. According to Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Brown was reportedly a former neighbor of the victims. He also said the weapon used may have been a rifle.
Officials noted that Brown previously served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005 and in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009. Family members have told reporters that Brown has a history of mental illness, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Gov. Greg Gianforte posted a statement on social media following the shooting:
“I’m closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda. Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy.”
Multiple public events in Anaconda were canceled over the weekend as a precaution. As of publication, no additional updates had been provided by law enforcement.
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