Mass Shooting in Montana
Authorities were scouring a mountainous area of western Montana on Saturday for a military veteran who they say opened fire at a bar, killing four people. The suspect, identified as Michael Paul Brown, 45, fled The Owl Bar in the small town of Anaconda in a white pickup truck but ditched it at some point, said Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is overseeing the case.
The Investigation
On Saturday, authorities released a photo of the suspect, barefoot and shirtless, walking down what appeared to be a flight of outdoor concrete steps. The photo showed Brown, wearing black shorts, fleeing after the shooting Friday, according to the Division of Criminal Investigation. “While law enforcement has not received reports of Brown harming any other individuals, he is believed to be armed, and he is extremely dangerous,” Johnson said.
Authorities said they would release the names of the victims once all of their families had been notified. “This is a small, tight-knit community that has been harmed by the heinous actions of one individual who does not represent what this community or Montanans stand for,” Johnson said.
The Town of Anaconda
Anaconda, about 25 miles northwest of Butte, is hemmed in by mountains. The town of about 9,000 people was founded by copper barons who profited off nearby mines in the late 1800s. A smelter stack that’s no longer operational looms over the valley. Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar, said owner David Gwerder, who wasn’t there during the shooting Friday morning.
Gwerder told The Associated Press that the bartender and three patrons were killed and didn’t think anyone else was inside. He also said he wasn’t aware of any conflicts between Brown and any of the victims. “He knew everybody that was in that bar. I guarantee you that,” Gwerder said. “He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.”
The Suspect’s Background
Brown served in the U.S. Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005, said Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson. Brown was in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009, Castro said. He left military service in the rank of sergeant.
Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, told the AP on Friday that her uncle has struggled with mental illness for years and that she and her other family members repeatedly sought help. “This isn’t just a drunk/high man going wild,” she wrote in a Facebook message. “It’s a sick man who doesn’t know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn’t know where or when he is either.”
The Search for the Suspect
With no sign of Brown in the white pickup or his home, authorities converged on the Stumptown Road area west of Anaconda by ground and air Friday, locking it down so no one was allowed in or out. A helicopter hovered over a nearby mountainside as officers moved among the trees, said Randy Clark, a retired police officer who lives there.
The search continued Saturday morning, according to Chase Scheuer, a spokesman for Montana’s DCI. As reports of the shooting spread through town earlier Friday, business owners locked their doors and sheltered inside with customers.
Reaction from the Community
The owner of the Firefly Café in Anaconda said she locked up her business after a friend alerted her to the shooting. “We are Montana, so guns are not new to us,” Barbie Nelson said. “For our town to be locked down, everybody’s pretty rattled.”
Conclusion
The shooting in Anaconda, Montana, has left the small community in shock and mourning. The search for the suspect, Michael Paul Brown, continues, and authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and stay indoors. The incident highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and the need for support for veterans struggling with their experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened in Anaconda, Montana?
A: A military veteran, Michael Paul Brown, opened fire at a bar, killing four people, and is currently being searched for by authorities.
Q: Who is the suspect?
A: The suspect is Michael Paul Brown, 45, a military veteran who served in the U.S. Army and the Montana National Guard.
Q: What is the current status of the search for the suspect?
A: The search for the suspect continued on Saturday morning, with authorities converging on the Stumptown Road area west of Anaconda by ground and air.
Q: How has the community reacted to the shooting?
A: The community is in shock and mourning, with business owners locking their doors and sheltering inside with customers. Residents are being urged to remain vigilant and stay indoors.
Q: What is being done to support the victims’ families?
A: Authorities are working to notify the families of the victims and provide support to those affected by the shooting.
