Anaconda, Mont. — A tragic shooting at the Owl Bar early Friday morning has left four people dead and sent shockwaves throughout the tight-knit community. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire around 10:30 a.m. and are currently searching for a suspect believed to be armed and on the run.
The suspect has been identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, who resided in close proximity to the bar. A SWAT team cleared his home, and he was last seen in the Stumptown area, located just west of Anaconda. As of 2:20 p.m., law enforcement continues to investigate the scene and hunt for Brown.
On social media, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced it was responding to the incident in Anaconda, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte also took to social platforms, expressing his concerns and urging residents to pray for the victims and those affected by the tragedy.
In recent years, mass shootings have been infrequent in Montana. The FBI classifies mass killings as incidents involving four or more victims, and they are a stark anomaly in the state’s history. A similar tragedy occurred in 2015 when a man killed his wife and three children before taking his own life near Anaconda.
Local business owners are reeling from the shocking event. Barbie Nelson, who runs the Firefly Café, closed her establishment around 11 a.m. after receiving an alert about the shooting. She described the atmosphere in Anaconda as tense and somber. “We are Montana, so guns are not new to us. For our town to be locked down, everybody’s pretty rattled,” she said.
The small-town nature of Anaconda means many residents likely know someone connected to the incident. “It’s a small town, so we all probably know someone who was there,” Nelson added, highlighting the communal impact of this tragedy.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with local police and federal agencies collaborating to ensure public safety. As the community mourns, residents are left grappling with questions about how such a violent event could occur in their beloved town.