BREAKING NEWS: MASS SHOOTING Anaconda, Montana on Lockdown After Deadly Shooting at Owl Bar - Suspect Remains at Large

BREAKING NEWS: Anaconda, Montana on Lockdown After Deadly Shooting at Owl Bar - Suspect Remains at Large

ANACONDA, Mont. — The small city of Anaconda, Montana, remains under lockdown as authorities intensify their search for a suspect following a mass shooting at the Owl Bar that left four people dead on Friday, August 1, 2025. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, is considered armed and dangerous, prompting a massive law enforcement response involving local, state, and federal agencies.

The shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. at the Owl Bar on East 3rd Street in Anaconda’s Goosetown neighborhood, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, though their identities have not yet been released. The incident sparked a citywide emergency, with businesses shuttered and residents urged to stay indoors and lock their doors.

The Granite County Sheriff’s Office described the suspect as wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana. Brown, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound Anaconda resident with blue eyes and brown hair, was last seen in the Stumptown area west of the city, possibly driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup with Montana license plates DTY493. Authorities initially pursued a vehicle matching this description, but it was later confirmed not to belong to the suspect. A SWAT team also raided Brown’s residence in Anaconda, but he was not found.Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene, with police swarming the bar and sirens echoing through the streets.

“A dozen State Troopers just flew by my office headed west,” said a local resident on X, adding that the city was on high alert. Unconfirmed reports from police scanner traffic suggested Brown may be armed with a .762-caliber assault rifle, heightening concerns about public safety.

Montana Highway Patrol reported a heavy law enforcement presence near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road, urging the public to avoid the area. The FBI’s Salt Lake City office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting local authorities, who are deploying choppers, drones, and K9 units in the manhunt. Some reports indicated the suspect may have been heading toward Georgetown Lake, though this remains unconfirmed.

Governor Greg Gianforte addressed the tragedy on social media, stating, “I’m closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda. We thank law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to protect our communities and pray for the victims, their families, and the entire Anaconda community.” U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke and Senator Steve Daines also expressed support, urging residents to follow law enforcement directives.

Social media posts from Anaconda residents reflect fear and confusion. One user claimed, “We are on lockdown, can’t look out the windows,” while another reported a high-speed chase moving west. Some unverified accounts mentioned additional details, such as a woman being set on fire, but these have not been corroborated by official sources.

As the search for Michael Paul Brown continues, authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Anaconda-Deer Lodge Law Enforcement at 406-563-5241 or call 911 if they spot the suspect or his vehicle. The public is urged to remain vigilant and avoid approaching Brown, who is considered extremely dangerous.This is an active investigation, and further details will be provided as they become available.