UPDATE: Michael Paul Brown, a 45-year-old man, has been arrested after evading capture for a week following a deadly shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, which left four people dead on August 1, 2023. He now faces four counts of murder, according to court records.
Authorities confirmed Brown was apprehended on August 8 inside an unoccupied structure near a state highway after a massive search effort involving hundreds of law enforcement officers, helicopters, and drones. The manhunt began shortly after the tragic shooting, which resulted in the deaths of Daniel Edwin Baillie (59), Nancy Lauretta Kelley (64), David Allen Leach (70), and Tony Wayne Palm (74).
Brown, a former soldier living next door to the bar, allegedly stole a truck to flee the scene and discarded it just outside of town. Despite extensive searches, he managed to hide in nearby forests as local residents expressed their shock over the incident. Witnesses reported being aware of Brown’s long-standing struggles with mental illness, according to his niece.
The charges against Brown were revealed on a court website on August 12, after previously being sealed by a state judge. Although specific charging documents are not yet available, the urgent nature of the case has sparked widespread media attention. Montana’s attorney general noted that a conviction for murder, known as deliberate homicide, could result in a death sentence, although executions have been on hold since 2015.
Brown’s attorney, Walter Hennessey, did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend. He is being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled for an initial district court appearance on September 3.
As investigations continue, authorities are examining whether Brown had any outside assistance during his time on the run. State Department of Justice spokesperson Chase Scheuer confirmed that the probe is ongoing, focusing on potential contacts with individuals or property owners who may have aided him.
The small community of Anaconda, located about 25 miles northwest of Butte, has been rocked by this violent crime. With a population of roughly 9,000, residents are grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, as they reflect on the lives lost and the shocking events that unfolded at a local establishment frequented by Brown.
This situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as more information emerges. Stay tuned for the latest developments in this urgent case.