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A fugitive Army veteran suspected of fatally shooting four people at a bar in Montana may potentially return to the area where the “heinous” crime occurred, causing concern for public safety, according to the state’s attorney general.
The whereabouts of Michael Brown, 45, remain unknown following the shooting at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, resulting in the deaths of Daniel Edwin Baillie, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, David Allen Leach, and Tony Wayne Palm.
“We have received significant support from Homeland Security, federal partners such as the FBI and the U.S. Marshal Service. Our priority is to locate this individual. He is considered dangerous and has committed a horrific crime against the community and the victims,” stated Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
“There are concerns that he may return to town. Based on the evidence, this is an unstable person who callously murdered four individuals for no apparent reason. Therefore, there is a legitimate concern for public safety,” Knudsen added.
Authorities released a photo of Brown barefoot and shirtless, fleeing the scene after the shooting. The image captured Brown wearing black shorts, according to the state’s Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but investigators believe Brown used one of his personal rifles in the attack.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Anaconda community, as well as the families and friends of the victims. This is a truly horrific incident that is uncommon in Montana, and thankfully, such events are rare in our state,” Knudsen expressed.
Brown served as an armor crewman in the Army from January 2001 to May 2005, deploying to Iraq from February 2004 to March 2005 and achieving the rank of sergeant before leaving the service. He also served in the Montana National Guard as an armor crewman from April 2006 to March 2009.
Knudsen revealed that over 250 individuals were involved in the manhunt for Brown over the weekend.
“We are considering all possibilities. Could he have taken his own life or be deceased? It’s a possibility. However, we are operating under the assumption that he is alive, well-armed, and extremely dangerous,” added Knudsen.
Reported by Greg Norman from Fox News Digital and The Associated Press.
