Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old former U.S. Army soldier, has been apprehended following a weeklong manhunt related to a tragic shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, which occurred on August 1.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his capture on Friday, marking a significant development in a case that left a small community devastated.
Authorities report that Brown opened fire in the bar, resulting in the deaths of bartender Nancy Loretta Kelly, 64, and three patrons: Daniel Edwin Bailey, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.
After the shooting, Brown fled the scene wearing little clothing and commandeered a stolen vehicle.
In the immediate days following the incident, law enforcement struggled to confirm any sightings of the suspect as they conducted extensive searches throughout the area.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte expressed gratitude during a press briefing, acknowledging the dedication of the law enforcement officials involved in the search.
“One week ago today, devastation struck this small Montana community of Anaconda,” he stated.
Gianforte highlighted the sacrifices made by the personnel involved, emphasizing their commitment to restoring peace to the community.
On Friday, around 2 p.m., law enforcement officials detained Brown near the Anaconda search area.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen credited a significant law enforcement presence — over 130 officers — stationed on a nearby hill for assisting in locating the suspect.
“We think that was directly correlated to flushing him out today — getting him down into an area that we know we had searched before,” Knudsen explained, noting that Brown was not hiding elsewhere.
At the time of his capture, Brown was armed, though further details regarding the weapon have not been disclosed.
Currently, he is in custody of the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County authorities, and the investigation into the homicides remains active.
Anaconda Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith stated during the press briefing that detailed information about the case would not be released to ensure fairness and integrity as proceedings move forward.
Investigators have indicated that Brown, a resident living close to The Owl Bar, was likely familiar with most of the victims.
As an Army veteran of the Iraq War and a member of the Montana National Guard, Brown’s military background adds another element to this tragic event.
Over 250 law enforcement personnel from more than 39 different agencies participated in the extensive search effort.
Governor Gianforte pointed out that the challenging terrain contributed to the prolonged search duration.
“It took a week because of the country he was in,” he noted, emphasizing the challenges faced by search teams.
Senator Steve Daines expressed appreciation for the law enforcement officials involved in the apprehension of the suspect.
“For the past week, Anaconda and the surrounding community showed the country the resilience and grit that makes MT special,” he remarked on social media.
As the community begins to process the tragedy, thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the victims and their families as authorities work to bring justice after this harrowing incident.
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