Montana Man Charged with Four Murders After Week-Long Manhunt
Michael Paul Brown faces four murder counts for a shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, killing four people, after evading authorities for a week.
Overview
Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old former soldier, faces four murder counts for a shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, where a bartender and three patrons died.
Brown evaded authorities for a week following the incident, prompting a large-scale manhunt involving helicopters and drones searching nearby forests.
During his evasion, Brown reportedly stole a truck, later abandoning it near town before being successfully apprehended by law enforcement.
He is currently held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to appear in district court on September 3 for the charges.
Investigators are actively looking into a potential motive for the shooting and whether Brown received any assistance during his week-long escape.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the events. They detail the timeline of the crime, the extensive manhunt, and the legal proceedings without employing loaded language or emphasizing particular angles, ensuring a balanced presentation of information. The reporting sticks to verifiable facts and official statements.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The four victims were Nancy Lauretta Kelly (64), the bartender, and three patrons: Daniel Edwin Baillie (59), David Allen Leach (70), and Tony Wayne Palm (74). All were residents of Anaconda, Montana.
Michael Paul Brown is a 45-year-old former U.S. Army soldier and Montana National Guard member who lived next door to The Owl Bar. He served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and left military service with the rank of sergeant. He reportedly had a history of mental health struggles.
After the shooting at The Owl Bar, Brown evaded law enforcement for a week, stealing a truck and abandoning it near town before being apprehended. Authorities used helicopters, drones, and multiple agencies to search nearby forests during the manhunt.
Michael Paul Brown faces four counts of murder for the shooting at The Owl Bar. He was held on $2 million bail and was scheduled to appear in district court on September 3, 2025.
Investigators are actively looking into a potential motive for the shooting, but as of now, no definitive motive has been released. Authorities believe Brown knew at least some of the victims.
History
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