ANACONDA, Mont. – The small, western Montana town of Anaconda was shaken to its core on Friday morning when a gunman opened fire inside the Owl Bar, a popular downtown watering hole, killing four people before fleeing into the surrounding wilderness. As law enforcement launched a massive manhunt, residents were urged to stay off the streets and to shelter in place as authorities warned that the suspect—identified as Michael Paul Brown, 45—was armed and dangerous.
What Happened
According to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement, the shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. on August 1, 2025, at the Owl Bar, located near the corner of Washington Avenue and Third Street. Eyewitnesses described hearing multiple gunshots and seeing people fleeing the bar as police, SWAT teams, and emergency vehicles flooded the area. Reports from local media confirm that four people—believed to be the bartender and three patrons—were killed. The names of the victims have not been released, pending notification of their families.
Michael Paul Brown, an Anaconda resident, was identified by officials as the lone suspect. He reportedly drove away from the scene in a white 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Montana license plate DTY493. Law enforcement later located the abandoned vehicle west of Anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road, but Brown remains at large, believed to be hiding in the mountainous terrain just west of town.
Community in Lockdown
As the manhunt intensified, Anaconda—a quiet town of about 9,000 known for its Old West charm and mining heritage—went into lockdown. Schools, businesses, and daycares closed their doors, and residents were told to stay inside, lock their doors, and report any suspicious activity. Helicopters, drones, and K-9 units were deployed, and officers from multiple agencies fanned out across the area.
The Montana Highway Patrol and FBI Salt Lake City Field Office are assisting local police in the search. Officials cautioned the public not to approach Brown, who is described as 5’10”, 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. He is considered extremely dangerous and is likely armed with a semi-automatic weapon, possibly an AR-15-style rifle.
Response and Investigation
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said he was “closely monitoring the situation” and asked residents to pray for the victims and the community. Senators and local officials also offered condolences and pledged support for law enforcement efforts.
At a press conference, Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and the Anaconda-Deer Lodge community, calling the act “heinous” and “something this community has never seen before”. Investigators said they are still working to determine Brown’s motive, and expect to learn more in the coming days as evidence is processed.
Anaconda: A Community in Shock
For longtime Anaconda residents, the tragedy is a stark departure from the town’s history. The Owl Bar—located in the heart of a working-class neighborhood—was seen as a local gathering spot, not a place of violence. The towering, inactive smelter stack, a symbol of Anaconda’s industrial past, now stands as silent witness to a very different kind of trauma.
“We’re Montana, so guns are not new to us,” said Barbie Nelson, owner of the Firefly Café, who locked her business after hearing about the shooting. “For our town to be locked down, everybody’s pretty rattled”.
Ongoing Manhunt
As of Saturday morning, August 2, 2025, Brown remains at large. Authorities say he may be wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana, but that description has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement. Residents near Stumptown Road and the surrounding mountainous areas should remain on high alert and immediately report sightings to 911.
This story is developing. For the latest updates, residents are urged to follow official local news channels and law enforcement advisories.
