Montana Manhunt Underway After Deadly Bar Shooting, Suspect Remains on the Loose
Authorities continue their search for a suspect in a fatal shooting at a Montana bar, which occurred on Friday morning. The individual, identified as Michael Paul Brown, is believed to be armed and dangerous, with law enforcement yet to locate him.
A white Ford F-150 truck, believed to have been driven by Brown, was discovered, but the suspect himself was not found in or around the vehicle, according to Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator Lee Johnson at a press conference late Friday.
The search for Brown is now focusing on the mountains near Stumptown Road, west of Anaconda, where the shooting took place. Multiple local, state, and federal agencies are participating in the ground and air searches in the area. The public has been advised to stay away from the location and avoid any potential encounter with Brown.
Residents living near Highway 1 and Stumptown Road, including Anaconda resident Randy Clark, a retired police officer, have reported witnessing helicopter searches occurring throughout the day on Friday and resuming early Saturday morning. Clark heard authorities communicating but could not determine if they were addressing the suspect or each other.
The shooting incident occurred at The Owl Bar at 10:30 a.m. local time, with the scene now secured. However, details about the events leading up to the shooting have not been disclosed by investigators.
Investigators have identified all four victims of the shooting but will not release their names until their families have been informed. Friday’s incident marks one of at least 256 mass shootings in the US this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Cassandra Dutra, a bartender at The Owl Bar for six months, expressed overwhelming sadness about the shooting. She believes all individuals present at the bar during the incident were killed, including one bartender and three customers. Dutra, who lives near the bar, initially assumed the noise she heard during the shooting was related to construction work outside the establishment.
David Gwerder, the owner of The Owl Bar, stated he was unaware of any conflicts between Brown and those in the bar on Friday morning. Gwerder added that Brown had a frequent presence at the bar but did not participate in the camaraderie shared by others.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte expressed prayers for the victims, their families, and the law enforcement officers involved in the response to the scene. Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke urged residents in the area to stay indoors and lock their doors.
The FBI, Denver office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Granite County Sheriff’s Office are all assisting with the ongoing investigation.