**Veteran Arrested After Deadly Bar Shooting in Montana**

**Michael Paul Brown, an ex-Army sergeant, is in custody after allegedly opening fire in a local bar, sparking a week-long manhunt that concluded with his arrest in the area.**

 

A dramatic turn in Montana unfolded as authorities apprehended Michael Paul Brown, a military veteran linked to a fatal shooting spree that resulted in the death of four individuals inside the Owl Bar in Anaconda last week. Officials revealed that Brown is accused of storming into the bar, where he was a noted regular, on August 1 and indiscriminately firing his weapon, leading to a swift response from local, state, and federal law enforcement.

After the shooting, a multi-agency manhunt ensued, extending into the nearby hills where Brown was reported to have fled in only black shorts. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen praised the extensive efforts undertaken by law enforcement to secure the veteran's capture, emphasizing their determination and resourcefulness throughout the investigation. The bustling city of Anaconda, home to approximately 10,000 residents and surrounded by rugged terrain, became the focus of significant police activity.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that Brown entered the bar without hesitation and began shooting shortly thereafter. David Gwerder, the establishment's owner, described the incident as shocking, suggesting that Brown had a close connection with many of the bar's patrons and that he may have "snapped" without any prior indication of hostility. Among those killed were barmaid Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, and three patrons: Daniel Baillie, 59, David Leach, 70, and Tony Palm, 74.

Brown, who served from 2001 to 2005 and was deployed to Iraq during his military career, was linked to the incident after authorities discovered his getaway vehicle, a white Ford F-150 pickup truck, following the shooting. Despite the diligent search efforts, he initially remained elusive until a recent sighting led to his arrest. Officials released an image showing him in an alarming state—shirtless, barefoot, and appearing disoriented as he descended a stairway.

In the wake of this tragic event, Montana's Governor Greg Gianforte took to social media platform X to extend his gratitude towards the dedicated law enforcement teams involved in the urgent arrest, reinforcing the community's resolve in the face of violence. Investigators continue to probe into the motives behind the attack, leaving many questions unanswered in a state striving for healing in a moment of substantial loss.