NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Police are frantically searching for an Army veteran accused of killing at least four people Friday morning at a Montana bar.
The shooting suspect, identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, of Anaconda, is believed to be armed and dangerous and was last seen in the Stumptown area, which is west of Anaconda, according to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center.
It is unclear what led to the shooting, which happened at about 10 a.m. at The Owl Bar. Authorities have not yet confirmed if there were additional injuries.
Brown was an armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005, and served in the National Guard from April 2006 to March 2008, Army Public Affairs confirmed to Fox News Digital. He deployed to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005, and left the service with the rank of sergeant.
He also served as an armor crewman in the Montana National Guard from April 2006 to March 2009, officials said.
Michael Paul Brown is wanted in connection to a shooting incident in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana. (Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center)
ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORT PROMPTS MASSIVE POLICE RESPONSE IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN BUSINESS DISTRICT
Brown’s house was cleared by SWAT, but he is still at large, according to GCSO.
The Montana Department of Corrections confirmed to Fox News Digital that Montana State Prison, a men’s facility in Deer Lodge, is locked down for “safety and security reasons.”
“This facility is located on about 38,000 acres which are in relatively close proximity to Anaconda, where the shootings occurred,” MDOC communications director Carolynn Stocker wrote in a statement.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) posted to social media noting a person involved in an F-150 car chase in the area was not the suspect.
Police and other emergency personnel are seen after a reported shooting in Anaconda, Mont., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP)
SHOOTING AT NEVADA CASINO RESORT LEAVES MULTIPLE PEOPLE INJURED; SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Montana Highway Patrol and Anaconda authorities asked the public to avoid the area of Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road.
Anaconda is less than 80 miles southeast of Missoula.
Law enforcement personnel respond to a reported shooting in Anaconda, Mont., Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Field Division told Fox News Digital it is at the scene providing assistance.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also responding to provide investigative support, according to a statement on X from FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
CHILLING IMAGE SHOWS IDAHO FIREFIGHTER AMBUSH SUSPECT IN WAR PAINT BEFORE DEADLY ATTACK
Gov. Greg Gianforte said he is praying for the victims in a Facebook post.
“I’m closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda,” Gianforte wrote. “Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy.”
People are seen in the town of Anaconda, Mont., following a reported shooting, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP)
Senators Steve Daines, R-Mon., and Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., also said they are keeping an eye on developments in separate social media posts.
“We are monitoring this tragedy and are in touch with local authorities,” Sheehy wrote in an X post. “We thank law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to protect our communities and pray for the victims, their families, and the entire Anaconda community.”
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center, GCSO, Montana Highway Patrol, FBI and ATF did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/gunman-shoots-multiple-people-montana-business-authorities-launch-intensive-manhunt
