Montana Man Charged With Four Murders After Bar Shooting
A Montana man who evaded authorities for a week following a deadly bar shooting now faces four counts of murder, court records confirm.
Michael Paul Brown, 45, is accused of fatally shooting a bartender and three patrons at The Owl Bar in Anaconda on August 1.
The Shooting
Brown, who lived next door to the bar, allegedly opened fire inside the establishment, killing four people before fleeing. Authorities have not disclosed a motive, though relatives said Brown, a former soldier, struggled with mental illness.
The victims’ names have not yet been publicly released by officials.
Weeklong Manhunt
After the killings, Brown reportedly stole a truck, later abandoning it just outside of town. For the next week, he eluded capture by hiding in the forests surrounding Anaconda, as hundreds of law enforcement officers, drones, helicopters, and tracking dogs combed the area.
On August 8, Brown was captured in an unoccupied structure near a state highway, after search pressure pushed him into more open terrain. Authorities are still investigating whether he received assistance while on the run.
Legal Proceedings
Brown is being held on $2 million bail at the county jail and is represented by attorney Walter Hennessey, who has not commented on the charges. He is scheduled for an initial district court appearance on September 3.
Court records confirm Brown faces four counts of deliberate homicide, Montana’s equivalent to murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty, though executions have been on hold in the state since 2015 due to a ruling on lethal injection drugs.
Small Town in Shock
Anaconda, a historic town of about 9,000 people northwest of Butte, has been shaken by the crime. The Owl Bar’s owner said Brown had been a patron for decades but was unaware of any conflict between him and the victims.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine Brown’s movements during his week in hiding.
