Montana authorities are intensifying the search for Michael Paul Brown, a former soldier accused of killing four people at the Owl Bar in Anaconda on Friday night. The manhunt, which has expanded into rugged, remote terrain, involves multiple federal and state agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Montana Department of Justice. Brown, 45, was last seen fleeing the scene shirtless and barefoot, and later spotted near a stolen truck loaded with survival gear, clothing, and food. Authorities believe he may be armed and capable of evading detection in the dense, mountainous landscape.
The victims, four local residents aged between 59 and 74, were identified as Nancy Lauretta Kelley, Daniel Edwin Baillie, David Allen Leach, and Tony Wayne Palm. Kelley, a longtime bartender at the bar, and the others were patrons familiar to the community in Anaconda, a town of approximately 9,000 people. The suspect, who lived next door to the bar, has a history of mental health issues, with his niece, Clare Boyle, stating that he has struggled with severe psychiatric problems for years and that family members repeatedly sought help. This has raised questions about his psychological state and potential for violence.
Brown, a former armor crewman in the Army from 2001 to 2005, served in the National Guard and deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. Officials confirmed he left the military with the rank of sergeant. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with residents being instructed to stay indoors and avoid approaching the suspect, who is described as an unstable individual with no known motive for the attack. A $7,500 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest or capture. As the search continues, the community remains on high alert, and law enforcement warns that the suspect may be operating in a remote, heavily wooded area, making his apprehension a significant challenge.