Montana bar shooting suspect arrested after weeklong search
Share and Follow

The former U.S. soldier, identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, is suspected of killing four people at a Montana bar last week.

ANACONDA, Mont. — A man suspected in a shooting at a Montana bar that left four people dead and prompted a neighborhood lockdown was captured Friday after a weeklong search, authorities said.

Michael Paul Brown, 45, was taken into custody around 2 p.m. near the area where authorities had focused their search in the days following the Aug. 1 shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, about a hundred miles (190 km) from Missoula. Authorities said only that Brown had been placed under arrest, without providing more details about where he was found.

Gov. Greg Gianforte confirmed Brown’s capture on social media Friday afternoon, saying it was an incredible response from law enforcement officers across the state.

“May God continue to be with the families of the four victims still grieving their loss,” he said.

Authorities planned to release more details about Brown’s capture during a news conference Friday evening.

Montana authorities have not said what sparked last week’s shooting, which killed a female bartender and three male patrons. They were identified as Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64; Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.

The shooting rattled the tight-knit town of about 9,000 people, and many residents were on high alert as authorities searched wooded hillsides from the ground and air. About 22 square miles (57 square kilometers) of forest southwest of Anaconda had been closed to the public by forest managers as a precaution.

Earlier in the week, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen had said it didn’t appear that Brown had broken into any cabins or homes in the area to get food or additional supplies.

Brown, who lived next door to The Owl Bar, served in the Army as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 until March 2005. He also was in the Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009.

Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, told the AP her uncle has struggled with mental illness for years and she and other family members repeatedly sought help.


Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Cause of death revealed for chess grandmaster who died aged 29

Cause of Death Unveiled for Chess Grandmaster Who Passed Away at 29

The recent release of a toxicology report has revealed that American chess…
ICE reels in the worst of the worst with 'Operation Catch of the Day' in Maine

ICE Nets Major Criminals in Maine with Groundbreaking ‘Operation Catch of the Day

In a significant move to reinforce immigration laws, U.S. Immigration and Customs…
Arrest made in connection to stabbing at Brunswick home, police say

Police Arrest Suspect Linked to Brunswick Home Stabbing Incident

Grace Freeman, aged 33, is currently facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault,…
Trump says prosecutions are coming over the 'rigged' 2020 election

Trump Predicts Legal Action Over Alleged 2020 Election Misconduct

During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President…
DHS alleges criminal illegal alien 'rammed law enforcement' in California operation, agent fired weapon

California Law Enforcement Confrontation: DHS Accuses Illegal Alien of Ramming Officers, Agent Discharges Weapon

A federal agent discharged his weapon in Southern California on Wednesday after…
School board member dodges appearance before Florida education board over racial comments

Florida School Board Member Evades Accountability Amid Racial Remark Controversy

Robert Alvero, a member of the Clay County School Board, was notably…
Prince Harry disputes having 'leaky' social circle in Daily Mail trial

Prince Harry Challenges Claims of ‘Leaky’ Inner Circle in High-Profile Daily Mail Case

In a courtroom drama unfolding in London, Prince Harry adopted a defiant…
Cause of death revealed weeks after woman died following Universal Orlando ride: report

Shocking Discovery: Cause of Woman’s Tragic Death After Universal Orlando Ride Finally Unveiled

The identity and cause of death of a 70-year-old woman have been…