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Anaconda Manhunt Continues After Bar Shooting
ANACONDA, Mont. — The search for a military veteran suspected of killing four people at a local bar has entered its fourth day. Authorities are pursuing Michael Paul Brown, 45, who allegedly opened fire inside The Owl Bar before fleeing in a white pickup truck, which has since been abandoned. Law enforcement officials believe Brown has stolen a second vehicle containing camping gear and clothing.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen described Brown as armed and dangerous, emphasizing the urgent need to apprehend him. A $7,500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
“This individual murdered four people in cold blood. There is absolute concern for public safety,” Knudsen stated.
Investigators are exploring all possibilities, including searching areas where Brown frequented as a child. The search, involving ground and air units from multiple agencies, has been hampered by the need for some officers to return to their regular duties during the busy tourist season. The National Forest System has closed the woods southwest of Anaconda to the public.
The victims, all Anaconda residents, have been identified as Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; Nancy Lauretta Kelly, 64; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Knudsen confirmed that Brown, a neighbor to the victims, was a regular at The Owl Bar and knew those he killed. Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, expressed condolences to the tight-knit community, stating that Brown’s actions do not reflect the values of Anaconda or Montana.
Kristian Kelley, daughter of victim Nancy Kelley, remembered her mother as a kind-hearted nurse who recently retired and picked up bartending as a way to stay active. The Owl Bar’s owner, David Gwerder, stated that he was unaware of any conflicts between Brown and the victims, speculating that Brown may have “snapped.”
The tragedy has shaken the small town of 9,000, where residents like Robert Wyatt expressed anxiety. Wyatt, a neighbor of victim David Leach, described Leach as a quiet, helpful man who was always willing to lend a hand.
Another resident, David Jabarek, narrowly missed being at the bar during the shooting. He described the shock that reverberated through the community, where “everybody knows everybody.” While shaken, Jabarek expressed a sense of defiance, echoing the sentiment of many residents who are prepared to defend themselves.
Brown served in the Army and Montana National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq. His niece, Clare Boyle, revealed his struggles with mental illness, stating that family members had sought help for him. Kristian Kelley confirmed Brown’s mental health struggles and PTSD, describing him as someone who told “strange stories” but was never known to be violent.