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Montana bar shooting suspect taken into custody week after killing 4: Sheriff
The former U.S. Army soldier accused of gunning down four people at a Montana bar has been captured following a weeklong manhunt, the Granite County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Michael Paul Brown, 45, is suspected of opening fire on Aug. 1 at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a city of about 9,000 people in southwestern Montana, authorities said.
“Thanks to all the brave law enforcement officials who helped apprehend the Anaconda shooting suspect,” Montana Sen. Steve Daines said on social media. “For the past week, Anaconda and the surrounding community showed the country the resilience and grit that makes MT special. Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families.”
Anaconda – Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center – PHOTO: An undated photo of Michael Paul Brown.
There had not been a confirmed sighting of Brown in the days following the shooting. At approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, authorities apprehended and arrested the suspect “near the search area in Anaconda,” Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said.
He is now in custody of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County authorities, Knudsen said.
Dozens of local, state and federal agencies were involved in the search, Anaconda Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith said.
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Those killed in the shooting were bartender Nancy Loretta Kelly, 64, and patrons Daniel Edwin Bailey, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.
Brown lived next door to the bar and investigators believe he was familiar with most of the victims, authorities said.
Montana DOJ – PHOTO: Michael Paul Brown flees the scene after he allegedly opened fire killing a bartender and three patrons at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, Aug. 1, 2025.
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He is an Army veteran who served in the Iraq War and the Montana National Guard, according to Knudsen.
“I am proud of the unrelenting law enforcement effort this week to find and arrest Michael Paul Brown,” Knudsen said in a statement Friday. “The support we’ve seen for the community of Anaconda from across the state and the nation has also been remarkable. The families and friends of the victims remain in my prayers.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.