Anaconda, Montana — Days after one of the deadliest shootings in Anaconda’s history, the suspect accused of killing four people at The Owl Bar remains at large — and the reason may lie as much in the landscape as in the man himself.
Authorities say Michael Paul Brown, 45, a U.S. Army veteran, opened fire at the popular Anaconda watering hole early Friday morning, killing a bartender and three patrons before fleeing the scene. A massive manhunt involving more than 250 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies has since failed to locate him, even after recovering two abandoned vehicles — one of which contained camping gear, clothing, and supplies.
Officials now believe Brown may have disappeared into the rugged wilderness southwest of Anaconda, an area he knows well from years of hunting and camping trips.
The primary search zone spans more than 22 square miles of dense forest and mountainous terrain near Stumptown Road and the Barker Lakes region. In summer, the tree canopy is thick, and steep ridges create blind spots for aerial surveillance.
“Even with drones and heat-sensing cameras, this terrain makes it very difficult to locate someone who knows how to move through it,” said one law enforcement official.
The U.S. Forest Service has closed parts of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest to the public to prevent interference with the search, while nearby residents have been warned to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
A Veteran With Survival Skills
Brown’s background complicates the search. Investigators say he has military training and is “comfortable in the outdoors.” Combined with the supplies found in the stolen vehicle, this suggests he may have prepared for an extended time off the grid.
Court documents and family accounts also reveal a man battling schizophrenia and PTSD, raising questions about whether his mental health played a role in the tragedy
The shooting has left this tight-knit Montana community shaken. Residents gathered over the weekend to honor the victims — a beloved bartender and three regulars — as businesses slowly reopened.
Yet fear lingers. “We just want this to end,” said one Anaconda resident. “Nobody feels safe until he’s caught.”
Despite days without a breakthrough, authorities remain confident.
“We are using every available resource,” said Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Sheriff Bill Funk. “We will not stop until we bring him into custody.”