Who is Michael Paul Brown, the suspect behind Montana bar shooting? 4 dead, manhunt on

A shooting incident rocked the small town of Anaconda in the US state of Montana on Friday (August 1), claiming the lives of four people at The Owl Bar.

The incident, which unfolded at 10:30 am (local time), has prompted a massive manhunt for the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, who authorities warn is “armed and dangerous.”

Who is Michael Paul Brown?

Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson, has confirmed Brown’s military background.

Castro noted that the suspect served as an armour crewman in the US Army from 2001 to 2005, including a brief deployment to Iraq in early 2005.

He later served in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009, reaching the rank of sergeant.

Montana Governor sounds alarm for locals

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte first raised the alarm on X, stating he is “closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter” in Anaconda.

Congressman Ryan Zinke echoed the urgency, advising residents near the bar to “stay inside and lock their doors.”

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center released a photo of Brown, describing him as 5 feet 10 inches tall, 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana, driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup truck with Montana license plates DTY493, heading toward the Stumptown area west of Anaconda.

The Granite County Sheriff’s Office reported that a SWAT team searched Brown’s home, located next door to The Owl Bar, but he remains at large.

Montana authorities issue warning 

Authorities issued a stark warning on social media: “Suspect is Michael Paul Brown and was last seen in the stumptown area. Public is advised to stay out of the stumptown area and surrounding areas. If seen do not approach. Contact 911 for any way to contact Michael Paul Brown.”

Multiple agencies, including the FBI and the Denver office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are assisting in the investigation.

Details about the motive and the identities of the victims remain undisclosed.

However, bar owner David Gwerder revealed that the victims included a bartender and three patrons, adding that Brown “knew everybody that was in that bar.”

He suggested there was no known conflict, stating, “He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.”