The search was on for a man suspected of fatally shooting four people at a Montana bar Friday morning, state officials said.
The suspect was named as Michael Paul Brown, with no age given, according to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center.
Four people were pronounced dead at the scene following the 10:30 a.m. shooting at the Owl Bar in Anaconda, a copper smelt town founded in the late 1800s, the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation said.
It’s not clear how or why the attack unfolded.
“This is an active investigation, and more information will be shared when available,” the agency said in a statement.
The suspect was believed to be armed and in the area west of the town. State authorities asked people to avoid the area of Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road in the Stumptown neighborhood.
The state Division of Criminal Investigation indicated local authorities — Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Department — are in charge of the search.
It urged residents to call 911 if they spot the suspect and warned, “do not approach.”
NBC Montana, citing authorities, reported the suspect is 45 and was last seen driving a 2007 white Ford F-150 pickup headed west on Anaconda Road.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement the suspect was wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans and a orange bandana. A white Ford F-150 similar to the one wanted by authorities was spotted and was stopped, but authorities determined the suspect was not inside.
The agency — Granite County is adjacent to Deer Lodge County — said the suspect’s home was searched and “cleared” earlier by a SWAT team.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on X that the bureau is sending personnel to Anaconda to help local authorities with the case.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a statement that some of its Denver-based personnel are also responding to Anaconda to assist local authorities.
Gov. Greg Gianforte said that he’s been apprised of the attack and subsequent manhunt and that he and his wife are praying for the loved ones of the victims.
“I’m closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda,” he said on X. “Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy.”
Anaconda, about 25 miles west of Butte and adjacent to the Continental Divide, is part of a consolidated government with Deer Lodge County in southwest Montana. The city and county have less than 10,000 residents combined.
The Owl Bar was established sometime near the dawn of the 1900s and served he town’s smeltworkers, according to a 1987 story in Montana Standard. It cites the book “Watering Holes” in stating the bar’s building opened in 1893.
Andrew Blankstein, Erick Mendoza, Tim Stelloh and Nollaig O’Connor contributed.