ANACONDA, Mont. — A massive manhunt is underway in Anaconda and surrounding areas following a tragic mass shooting at The Owl Bar on East 3rd Street, which claimed the lives of four people on Friday, August 1, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, a resident of Anaconda, remains at large, prompting a city-wide lockdown and a coordinated response from multiple law enforcement agencies.

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), leading the investigation, confirmed that four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and the area has been secured. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the FBI’s Salt Lake City office, Anaconda Police, Butte-Silver Bow law enforcement, and Montana Highway Patrol, are assisting in the response and ongoing search for Brown, who is considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Michael Paul Brown is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a tie-dye shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana, driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup truck with Montana license plates DTY493. The vehicle was spotted heading west of Anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road, where a heavy law enforcement presence, including tactical teams, is concentrated. Authorities have urged residents to avoid this area and to remain vigilant, advising them to stay indoors until an official all-clear is issued.

A SWAT team cleared a residence linked to Brown, located next door to The Owl Bar in Anaconda’s Goosetown neighborhood, but he was not found. Earlier reports of a white Ford F-150 involved in a high-speed chase were clarified by the Granite County Sheriff’s Office, confirming that the vehicle was not connected to the suspect.

Details about Brown’s background have emerged, shedding light on his struggles. A relative, Jacob Burns, told Channel2 NOW that Brown is a military veteran who suffered from untreated mental health conditions, including severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Contrary to rumors, Burns stated that Brown did not struggle with alcoholism. A close friend, who chose to remain anonymous, described Brown as a “gentle soul” whose mental health had deteriorated in recent years, leading him to live in a delusional state where he believed he was still an active special operations soldier. The friend noted that Brown was polite and respectful in daily interactions but shared stories that seemed fictional, reflecting his declining mental state.

Community members reportedly reached out to authorities multiple times to seek help for Brown due to his troubling behavior, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The friend expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Mikey needed help, and I’m heartbroken it came to this. My heart breaks for those who lost their lives and for the families now living with unimaginable grief. PTSD is a serious and too often overlooked illness.”

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte addressed the tragedy on social media, saying, “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.” Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representative Ryan Zinke, also expressed their support for the Anaconda community and gratitude for law enforcement’s efforts.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and the names of the victims have not yet been released. Anaconda, a town of fewer than 10,000 residents located 25 miles west of Butte, is reeling from the incident, which locals describe as shocking for their close-knit community. Barbie Nelson, owner of the nearby Firefly Café, told the Associated Press, “We are Montana, so guns are not new to us. For our town to be locked down, everybody’s pretty rattled. It’s a small town, so we all probably know someone who was there.”

Authorities have emphasized that Brown should not be approached under any circumstances. Anyone with information about his whereabouts or the incident is urged to contact Anaconda-Deer Lodge Law Enforcement at (406) 563-5241 or call 911 immediately. The public is advised to rely on official sources for updates as the situation develops.

The manhunt continues as law enforcement patrols have expanded into neighboring regions, with officials committed to providing verified updates as they become available. The Anaconda community remains on edge, awaiting resolution to this devastating tragedy.