MANHUNT underway after MASS SHOOTING in Montana - What we know...

As of August 1, 2025, official details about the victims of the mass shooting at the Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, remain scarce, with authorities withholding names and specifics pending notification of next of kin. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) confirmed that four people were pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, which occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the bar located on East 3rd Street in the Goosetown neighborhood.

No official statements from the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center or DCI have disclosed the identities, ages, or backgrounds of the victims. A post on X claimed that one victim was Payton Engelwitz, a 22-year-old from Butte, Montana, who reportedly succumbed to gunshot wounds, but this information has not been corroborated by law enforcement or mainstream news outlets and should be treated as unverified.

Local and national news reports, including those from the Montana Standard, NBC Montana, and Newsweek, indicate that the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are prioritizing the search for the suspect, 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, while securing the crime scene. The lack of victim details may reflect standard protocol to respect families and ensure accurate reporting.

Community sentiment on X reflects grief and frustration, with posts urging prayers for the victims and their families, but no further specifics have emerged. Governor Greg Gianforte and other officials have publicly expressed condolences, emphasizing support for the victims’ loved ones, though without naming individuals.For the latest updates, residents are advised to monitor official releases from the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center or contact them at 406-563-5241. More information on the victims may be released as the investigation progresses.

As of August 1, 2025, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana, has an estimated population of 9,934, according to 2025 projections based on U.S. Census Bureau data. This reflects a modest growth rate of 0.86% annually, with the population increasing by 4.47% since the 2020 census, which recorded 9,420 residents. Anaconda, the county seat of Deer Lodge County, operates under a consolidated city-county government and ranks as the ninth most populous city in Montana.

Demographically, Anaconda is predominantly White, with approximately 90.64% of residents identifying as White (Non-Hispanic), according to recent data. Smaller percentages include Native American, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and multiracial populations. Only 0.589% of residents (about 56 people) were born outside the U.S., significantly below the national average of 13.8%. The median age is 49.6 years, with males at 47.8 years and females at 52 years, indicating an older population compared to state averages.

Economically, the median household income in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County is $49,533, with an average household income of $64,237. The poverty rate stands at 18.15%, higher than the national average. The median property value in 2023 was $209,700, and the homeownership rate is 69.5%, above the national average of 65%. Most residents drive alone to work, with an average commute time of 21.2 minutes.

This demographic snapshot comes amid a citywide lockdown following a tragic shooting at the Owl Bar on August 1, 2025, which has heightened community concerns. The population’s composition and economic challenges may influence local response and recovery efforts as authorities continue their manhunt for the suspect. For further details on Anaconda’s demographics, visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s website or datausa.io.