A multi – agency manhunt persisted into its fourth day on Monday for a former U.S. Army soldier suspected of shooting dead a bartender and three patrons at a tavern in southwestern Montana. Authorities have identified the victims of the Friday shooting and are urging the public to remain vigilant, describing the suspect as an “unstable individual” who is armed and dangerous.
Michael Paul Brown, 45, is being sought in connection with the fatal shooting that took place around 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a city with approximately 9,000 residents in southwestern Montana, according to the Montana Department of Justice. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
Montana State Attorney General Austin Knudsen characterized the incident as an “absolutely heinous crime against this community and these victims.” He emphasized that authorities have “very good reason to believe that he is dressed” and capable of mobility, potentially carrying camping equipment.
Authorities released the names of the four victims on Sunday. They were identified as 64 – year – old Nancy Lauretta Kelley, who was working as the bartender at the time of the shooting, and three patrons: 59 – year – old Daniel Edwin Baillie, 70 – year – old David Allen Leach, and 74 – year – old Tony Wayne Palm. All four victims were residents of Anaconda.
Nancy Lauretta Kelley had recently retired as an oncology nurse, a profession to which she dedicated 30 years, and had started working part – time at The Owl Bar about a year and a half ago. Her daughter, Kristian Kelley, noted that her mother “was a wonderful nurse, and she had a talent for taking care of people at the hospital. She was always very kind and benevolent to her patients. She loved animals.” She added that her mother “had just retired and just did [bartending] to have something to do on one or two days. Just to be out and about.”
David Allen Leach, a patron, was deaf and lived in a public housing complex for the elderly and disabled. While he generally kept to himself, a neighbor, Robert Wyatt, recalled that Leach was always willing to help others with tasks such as moving furniture. “If you needed help, Dave would help,” Wyatt stated, adding, “He was a good neighbor.” The families of Baillie and Palm have not made any public comments on the tragedy.
Investigators believe that Michael Paul Brown was acquainted with the victims. Attorney General Knudsen stated, “From what I have gathered, it seems like he was a regular at this establishment. He literally lives next door.” Knudsen added, “I think it is likely that he knew the bartender and these patrons, which makes it even more heinous.” The owner of The Owl Bar, David Gwerder, confirmed Brown’s acquaintance with those present, stating, “He knew everybody that was in that bar. I can guarantee you that.” Gwerder speculated that Brown “just thought he snapped,” reporting no knowledge of any existing conflicts between Brown and the victims.
Brown served as an armor crewman in the U.S. Army from January 2001 to May 2005. His service included a deployment to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005. He later served in the Montana National Guard as an armor crewman from April 2006 to March 2009, leaving military service with the rank of sergeant, according to an Army spokesperson.
His niece, Clare Boyle, communicated via Facebook that her uncle had “struggled with mental illness for years,” stating, “This is not merely a man under the influence of alcohol or drugs going berserk. It is a sick man who sometimes does not know who he is and frequently does not know where or when he is either.” Shane Charles, who grew up with Brown and owns another local bar, also informed NBC News that Brown had struggled with post – traumatic stress disorder. Kristian Kelley, the daughter of victim Nancy Kelley, characterized Brown as “someone who required serious resources” and confirmed his mental health issues and PTSD, adding, “I have never known him to be violent. He was a person who would tell rather strange stories and various things of that nature.”
Brown was last seen driving a 2007 white Ford F – 150 pickup, which authorities later located. However, Brown remains at large. Investigators suspect that Brown stole a different vehicle after the shooting, which contained camping equipment and clothing. Attorney General Knudsen said that a surveillance photo, released on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, showed Brown fleeing shortly after the shooting, appearing to have taken off most of his clothes, wearing only underwear and socks. However, authorities now believe Brown is dressed and has shoes, potentially carrying survival supplies.
Law enforcement had a brief encounter with a vehicle believed to be carrying Brown on Friday afternoon, around noon. They discontinued the pursuit, realizing Brown was likely armed. “There was some confusion because two white vehicles were involved,” Knudsen said, adding that “federal resources were involved in that pursuit, but I believe that was the last contact law enforcement had with him around noon.”
Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies have joined in the extensive search for Brown. These agencies include the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, and various local county agencies. Attorney General Knudsen stated, “We have air resources, ground resources. We are going to apprehend this individual. This remains absolutely priority No. 1.”
More than 250 personnel were deployed on the ground for the search on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. The ongoing endeavor encompasses canine detection units, infrared and heat detection technology employed by air assets, and drones. Personnel are also actively conducting searches at known camping and hunting sites, areas with which Brown was reportedly acquainted since his youth.
Authorities have focused the multi – agency search on the rugged and remote terrain west of Anaconda, specifically off Stumptown Road. The search has been expanded to cover areas around Barker Lake and the surrounding areas, as well as the East Fork of Twin Lakes Creek and the Mount Haggin area. The National Forest System has issued a special closure order for the woods southwest of Anaconda, effective until Aug. 17, to ensure public safety during the ongoing law enforcement operation.
Attorney General Knudsen acknowledged that local law enforcement resources are “stretched thin at present,” and that the response would undergo a shift as some personnel return to their home bases, transitioning into a “fugitive location operation.” Although the possibility of suicide has been considered by investigators, Knudsen stated, “We are operating under the assumption that he is alive, well – armed, and extremely dangerous.” He also expressed concern that Brown “might return to town.”
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The U.S. Marshals Service initially offered a $7,500 reward for information leading to Brown’s arrest or capture, which was later increased to $10,000. Authorities urged anyone with information on Brown’s whereabouts to call a dedicated hotline: (877) WANTED2 or 1-877-926-8332.
Residents in Anaconda have been advised to remain on high alert and stay indoors. Police Chief Bill Sather of Anaconda – Deer Lodge County recommended that businesses reopening exercise caution, stating, “It is acceptable to conduct your business in town, but please exercise caution.” Brown has been described as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
Attorney General Knudsen issued a stern public warning: “This is an unstable individual who entered and murdered four people in cold blood without any reason. There is undoubtedly concern for the public. I implore the public to remain vigilant.”
Anaconda, a small, close – knit community with a population of about 9,000 people, is located approximately 25 miles northwest of Butte. Founded by copper magnates in the late 1800s, it is renowned for its towering, non – operational smelter stack. The close – knit nature of the town implies, as one resident remarked, “In a town like this, everyone knows everyone.”
The shooting has left the community “heartbroken” and “in a state of shock.” David Jabarek, a 70 – year – old local resident, described the mass shooting as “perplexing” in a town of Anaconda’s size, where “Everyone knows everyone here.” Jabarek himself had a narrow escape, having planned to go to The Owl Bar less than 30 minutes before the shooting but changing his plans to run an errand. “Had I been there at the scheduled time, you would not be conversing with me. Someone would be talking to you about me,” he said, noting that the incident is now keeping him awake at night.
Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, stated, “This is a small, close – knit community that has been victimized by the heinous actions of one individual who does not represent the values of this community or Montanans.” Despite the shock, Jabarek also noted a sense of preparedness among locals, stating, “Almost everyone around here has a couple of dozen firearms in their house, and at present, they are within easy reach.”
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The ongoing pursuit of Michael Paul Brown underscores the gravity of the situation in southwestern Montana. As the rugged terrain is being scoured by dedicated law enforcement teams, the community of Anaconda remains enveloped in a cloud of both grief and vigilance. The determination of multiple agencies to apprehend the suspect is evident, as they are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his capture. The authorities continue to advise extreme caution, stressing that an armed and dangerous individual remains at large, and the collective effort to bring him to justice endures.
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