NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Gleammour AquaFresh
NewsFinale
  • Home
  • News
  • Local News
  • Business
  • Health
  • Finance
  • Celeb Lifestyle
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Advertise Here
Home Local News Updates on the Search for Former US Soldier Accused of Killing Four at Montana Bar

Updates on the Search for Former US Soldier Accused of Killing Four at Montana Bar

What is known about the search for a former US soldier suspected of killing 4 at a Montana bar
Up next
Sydney Harbour Bridge is barely visible after a thick blanket of fog has settled over the city. Picture taken on Tuesday August 5, 2025.
Ferry Operations Halted Due to Dense Smog Covering Sydney
Published on 04 August 2025
Author
NewsFinale Journal
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp


The search for a former U.S. soldier suspected of killing four people at a bar in Montana stretched into a fourth day Monday, with deputies scouring the mountainous terrain by foot and air after the man escaped in a stolen vehicle containing camping gear.

Authorities say Michael Paul Brown, 45, fatally shot four people Friday morning at The Owl Bar in the small town of Anaconda with a rifle that police believe was his personal weapon. He fled in a white pickup that he later ditched and stole a car stocked with clothes, shoes and other supplies.

A female bartender and three male patrons were killed. The shooting rattled the tight-knit town of about 9,000 people, and many residents remain on high alert with the suspect still at large.

Here’s what is known about the search.

How is the search progressing?

Law enforcement officers from across the state have been brought in to assist with the search for Brown, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said. Search teams include multiple local, state, and federal agencies and are surveying the area both on the ground and by air. Helicopters whirred overhead throughout the weekend as Anaconda residents adjusted to daily life after the shooting.

The effort initially concentrated on an area off Stumptown Road, west of Anaconda. Knudsen said investigators are now searching all possible options for Brown’s whereabouts, including the woods where he hunted and camped in his youth. They suspect he may be armed.

The woods southwest of Anaconda have been closed to the public by the National Forest System as the manhunt carries on.

Business owners locked their doors Friday and sheltered inside with customers. A lockdown of the Stumptown Road area was lifted on Saturday, but many local businesses were slow to reopen.

Who were the victims?

The victims were identified on Sunday as Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.

All four were residents of Anaconda, which is situated between rugged mountains about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Butte.

Robert Wyatt, 70, said he was neighbors with Leach at a public housing complex for elderly people and people with disabilities. Leach was deaf and kept mostly to himself, Wyatt said, but he was always happy to help his neighbors.

In a town where “everybody knows everybody,” the entire community is hurting, said resident David Jabarek, 70.

What is known about the suspect?

Brown served in the Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005, said Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Army spokesperson. Brown was in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to March 2009 and left military service at the rank of sergeant, Castro said.

Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar, according to owner David Gwerder, who was not present during the shooting Friday morning. It was widely believed that Brown knew at least some of the victims.

In a photo released by law enforcement, Brown appears gaunt, barefoot and wearing nothing but black shorts.

Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, told The Associated Press that her uncle has struggled with mental illness for years, and she and other family members repeatedly sought help for him.

He was known to local law enforcement before the shooting, Knudsen said. There is a $7,500 reward for any information leading to Brown’s capture.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
New York subway ends its MetroCard era and switches fully to tap-and-go fares
  • Local News

New York Subway Transitions to Modern Tap-and-Go Fare System, Phases Out MetroCards

NEW YORK – The year 1994 marked a pivotal moment for New…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
Storm Team 3: Warmth continues before a cold blast
  • Local News

Storm Team 3: Unseasonable Warmth Persists Ahead of Impending Cold Front

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Yesterday graced us with splendid weather, matching the…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
One dead, Fire Chief injured after Milford house fire
  • Local News

Decatur Police Request Public’s Help Following Weekend Gunfire Incident

In the early hours of Saturday, shortly after midnight, Decatur Police Department…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
A muse for musicians: 11 songs inspired by Brigitte Bardot
  • Local News

Brigitte Bardot: The Muse Behind 11 Iconic Songs

NEW YORK – Renowned for her status as a 1960s French icon,…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
Volunteering with children can build character and create lasting family memories
  • Local News

How Volunteering with Kids Boosts Character and Strengthens Family Bonds

NEW YORK (AP) — When Cami Teacoach’s son celebrated his third birthday,…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
Guinea votes in first election since 2021 coup with junta leader expected to win
  • Local News

Guinea Holds Pivotal Election Following 2021 Coup, with Junta Leader Anticipated to Secure Victory

In Conakry, Guineans are heading to the polls this Sunday to choose…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
'It was a relief': Savannah man is cancer free after robotic procedures
  • Local News

Local Savannah Resident Celebrates Cancer-Free Status Following Advanced Robotic Treatments

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — A patient battling lung cancer is making a…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 29, 2025
Prepare for what could be a frigid New Year’s in Central Florida after a pleasant Christmas
  • Local News

Brace for a Chilly New Year in Central Florida: How to Stay Warm After a Mild Christmas

ORLANDO, Fla. – As the festive spirit lingers, I sincerely hope that…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 28, 2025
Emergency preparedness supplies everyone should have in their home
  • Local News

Essential Emergency Kits: Must-Have Supplies for Every Home’s Safety Plan

BestReviews is supported by its readers and might earn an affiliate commission.…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 29, 2025
“Smiling Grandma to a Snarling Wolf”: How Betty Lou Beets Became Known as Killer “Black Widow”
  • Crime

From Granny to ‘Black Widow’: The Chilling Transformation of Betty Lou Beets

On August 6, 1983, Betty Lou Beets reported to authorities that her…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 29, 2025

Myanmar’s First Elections Since 2021 Coup See Surprisingly Low Voter Turnout

Under the shadow of civil war and questions over the poll’s credibility,…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 29, 2025
Premier promises 'answers' as Bondi royal commission stoush heats up
  • AU

Premier Vows to Uncover Truth Amidst Rising Tensions in Bondi Royal Commission

NSW Premier Chris Minns has promised the state’s royal commission into the…
  • NewsFinale Journal
  • December 29, 2025
NewsFinale Journal
  • Home
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Sitemap
  • DMCA
  • Advertise Here
  • Donate