In a shocking incident on Friday night, four individuals lost their lives in a bar shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana. The shooting, which took place around 10:30 PM local time, has led to a manhunt for the suspect, identified as Michael Paul Brown, by local law enforcement authorities.
The incident prompted a swift response from both the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who confirmed that multiple victims were involved in the tragic event at the historic bar that has served the community since 1893.
Brown, described as “armed and dangerous,” is thought to be evading capture, and the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center has issued a cautionary warning to residents. Authorities advised the public to avoid engaging with the suspect if spotted and to immediately contact 911 with any relevant information.
Neighbors are encouraged to remain indoors and secure their homes in light of the ongoing search. The nearby Granite County Sheriff's Office released a description of Brown, indicating that he was last seen wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte expressed his condolences on social media, asking the public to join him and his wife in prayer for the victims and law enforcement officials involved in securing the community during this distressing time. The FBI has also joined efforts at the scene to assist in the investigation, which has been characterized as a "massive manhunt" supported by police drones.
The Owl Bar, an establishment with deep roots in Anaconda's copper mining history, now finds itself at the center of a tragedy that has forever changed the lives of its patrons and the local community.
