The search continues for a military veteran accused of fatally shooting four people in a bar in Anaconda, Montana. State Attorney General Austin Knudsen has expressed concern about the possibility of the suspect returning to the area, emphasizing the seriousness of his alleged crimes.
Michael Brown, 45, has been missing since the incident, which occurred early Friday morning. “We’ve received tremendous cooperation from federal agencies, including the FBI, and we’re determined to locate this dangerous individual who has committed horrifying acts against our community,” Knudsen stated. He pointed out that the nature of the crime raises significant concerns for local safety.
Victims from the shooting have now been identified as Daniel Edwin Barry, Nancy Lauretta Kelly, Tony Wayne Palm, and David Allen Leach, all of whom were in the bar at the time. Knudsen expressed his heartfelt condolences to their families, describing the event as deeply shocking and unprecedented in Montana.
Images released by authorities show Brown fleeing the scene, barefoot and shirtless. It remains unclear what triggered the violence, but investigators believe he used one of his personal rifles in the attack.
Brown served in the Army from 2001 to 2005, with deployment in Iraq, and later in the Montana National Guard. As the manhunt intensifies, Knudsen mentioned that over 250 law enforcement personnel have been actively searching for Brown. He also noted, cautiously, that they are considering all possibilities regarding his status, including the grim prospects of suicide but are currently assuming he is alive and poses a threat.
