4 individuals had been killed in a taking pictures at a bar in Anaconda, Montana, on Friday, authorities mentioned. A suspect is at massive.
The Montana Division of Legal Investigation confirmed to CBS Information that the shooting occurred at The Owl Bar in Anaconda at round 10:30 a.m. native time. DCI Administrator Lee Johnson said in a video assertion Friday evening that the suspect, recognized as Michael Paul Brown, walked into the bar and opened hearth earlier than fleeing the scene.
Montana’s Division of Justice confirmed Saturday morning {that a} bartender and three patrons had been killed within the taking pictures.
Johnson mentioned legislation enforcement situated his car, a white Ford F-150, however Brown was nowhere to be discovered. Authorities are focusing their search within the mountains simply west of Anaconda.
The company, which is main the investigation, did not instantly present particulars about how the taking pictures unfolded.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Regulation Enforcement Division said the suspect was believed to be armed and harmful. Public data present he lived subsequent to the bar.
“If seen don’t method,” the division mentioned. “Contact 911 for any strategy to contact Michael Paul Brown.”
Authorities had been trying to find the suspect west of Anaconda close to Stumptown Highway and Anderson Ranch Loop Highway, the state Division of Legal Investigation mentioned in an announcement.
“We’re asking individuals to please keep away from the realm,” the company mentioned.
Anaconda, about 25 miles northwest of Butte, is hemmed in by mountains. The city of about 9,000 individuals was based by copper barons who profited from close by mines within the late 1800s. A smelter stack that is not operational looms over the valley.
The Montana Freeway Patrol said there was a heavy legislation enforcement presence within the space.
The sheriff’s workplace for neighboring Granite County said on social media that the suspect was sporting a tie-dye shirt, blue denims and an orange bandana.
The sheriff’s workplace said the suspect’s home in Anaconda had been cleared by a SWAT crew.
Brown served within the U.S. Military as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005 and deployed to Iraq from early 2004 till March 2005, mentioned Lt. Col. Ruth Castro, an Military spokesperson advised the AP. Brown was within the Montana Nationwide Guard from 2006 to March 2009, Castro mentioned. He left navy service within the rank of sergeant.
Congressman Ryan Zinke, one of many state’s two members within the Home of Representatives, urged people to remain inside, lock their doorways and take note of instructions from legislation enforcement officers.
FBI personnel are additionally responding to the scene “to supply any requested help and/or investigative assist,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Friday.
Sage Huot, proprietor of a kid care heart situated a number of blocks away from the taking pictures, advised The Related Press that when she discovered of the rampage, she stored the youngsters inside.
“We’re always doing observe drills, hearth drills and energetic shooter drills, so we locked down the power, locked the doorways, and now we have a quiet spot the place we play actions away from all of our home windows and doorways,” Huot mentioned.
A neighborhood newspaper, the Anaconda Chief, which is printed twice every week, said on social media that its workplace was closed and Friday’s version would not be delivered till the state of affairs was resolved, however mentioned tales could be posted online.
Joseph Scheller/The Montana Commonplace through AP 
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte mentioned he was monitoring the response to the incident.
“Please be part of Susan and me in praying for the victims, their family members, and the courageous legislation enforcement officers responding to this tragedy,” Gianforte mentioned on social media, referring to his spouse, Susan Gianforte.
Up to now in 2025, there have been about 256 mass shootings within the U.S., together with Friday’s taking pictures in Anaconda. In 2024, there have been about 503 incidents, in accordance with a CBS Information evaluation of knowledge from the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass taking pictures as an incident the place 4 or extra individuals are shot or killed, not together with the shooter.
contributed to this report.
