The Anaconda active shooter incident has shaken Montana as authorities continue their pursuit of a suspect who fatally shot four people at The Owl Bar in Anaconda on Friday morning. The shooting, which took place around 10:30 a.m. on August 1, 2025, left the community on high alert as law enforcement agencies launched an intensive manhunt for the gunman.
Law enforcement identified the suspect as Michael Paul Brown, 45, a local resident who lived near The Owl Bar. He is believed to be armed and extremely dangerous. Brown was last seen in the Stump Town area, just west of Anaconda, and a heavy police presence has locked down the surrounding neighborhoods while the search intensifies. Authorities are cautioning the public to avoid the area and immediately notify 911 with any information on his whereabouts. Business owners and residents in Anaconda have locked their doors, and local schools and the nearby Montana State Prison have enacted lockdowns for safety.
- Incident location: The Owl Bar, Anaconda, Montana.
- Time: Approximately 10:30 a.m., August 1, 2025.
- Casualties: Four people pronounced dead at the scene.
- Suspect: Michael Paul Brown, 45. Described as wearing a tie-dye shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana.
- Response: A large contingent of law enforcement, including local, state, and SWAT teams. Search efforts are concentrated in wooded areas west of Anaconda.
- Public safety: Residents and businesses near the shooting and search zones are advised to remain indoors. Montana State Prison has also been locked down for security reasons.
The Anaconda active shooter event is one of the gravest mass shootings Montana has faced in years. Local authorities, with support from neighboring counties, continue to urge residents to shelter in place until the suspect is apprehended. The impact has been felt widely, with heightened anxiety among Anaconda’s roughly 9,000 residents and operational disruptions across public services and businesses.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the search progresses. The identities of the victims have not yet been released. The town is united in shock and sorrow as the investigation unfolds, and officials stress the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity.
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