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Authorities in Montana are searching for a U.S. military veteran suspected of fatally shooting four people at a bar in Anaconda on Friday morning. The suspect’s vehicle has been recovered, but he remains at large.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. The bar owner, speaking to the Associated Press, speculated that the suspect “snapped.”
Law enforcement officials have located the white Ford-150 pickup truck believed to have been used by the suspect to flee the scene. However, the individual remains at large.
The search is currently focused on a mountainous region west of Anaconda. Residents in the area have been advised to stay indoors and ensure their doors are locked.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center identified the suspect as Michael Paul Brown in a social media statement, cautioning that he is “believed to be armed and dangerous.”
Public records indicate that the suspect resided next door to The Owl Bar.
David Gwerder, the owner of The Owl Bar, who was not present during the incident, told the Associated Press, “He knew everybody that was in that bar.”
“I guarantee you that. He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped,” Gwerder added.
A U.S. Army spokesperson confirmed to U.S. media outlets that the suspect is a veteran. Lt. Col. Ruth Catsro stated that Mr. Brown served as an armor crewman from 2001-2005, with a deployment to Iraq from 2004-2005.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center urged the public, “If seen do not approach,” and advised contacting 911 with any information regarding Michael Paul Brown’s whereabouts.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) initially reported it was “responding to a shooting where multiple parties have been shot at a business in Anaconda.”
In an update released Friday evening, police stated that the victims had been identified, but their names would be withheld pending notification of their families.
Kelly DeRieux, a barmaid at Jodi’s Cantina and Sports Bar located three blocks from The Owl Bar, informed BBC News via telephone that numerous businesses in the town had closed for the day.
She relayed that a friend reported heavily armed police officers visited her residence, instructing her to “please stay away from windows and lock their doors.”
DeRieux stated that her restaurant remains open, adding, “We have emergency precautions, if needed.”
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media that the suspect was “said to be wearing a tye-dyed shirt, blue jeans and a orange bandana.”
The sheriff’s office further indicated that the suspect’s Anaconda home had been searched and “cleared by SWAT” teams.
Anaconda, a former copper smelting center with a population of approximately 10,000, is situated in southwestern Montana, 109 miles (175km) west of Bozeman.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte stated that he is monitoring the response to the incident.
“Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy,” the governor said on social media, referencing his wife, Susan Gianforte.
The FBI is also assisting in the investigation at the scene.
Montana Senator Steve Daines told local media that police drones are aiding in the “massive manhunt.”
According to a 1987 article in the Montana Standard newspaper, The Owl Bar was constructed in 1893 to serve Anaconda’s copper workers. It is located in the Goosetown neighborhood of Anaconda.
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