ANACONDA, Mont. — One of Montana’s deadliest recent mass shootings continues to have lasting effects on the small community of Anaconda nearly a year after four people were fatally shot inside a neighborhood bar. The case remains active in the court system as prosecutors pursue charges against the accused gunman.
The shooting occurred on August 1, 2025, at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, a historic mining town in southwestern Montana. Investigators allege that Michael Paul Brown, 45, entered the bar and opened fire, killing four people inside the establishment before fleeing the scene. The attack triggered a massive multi-agency manhunt that stretched across the mountains west of Anaconda and drew national attention.
Authorities identified the victims as Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64; Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Investigators said Kelley was working as a bartender at the time, while the others were patrons inside the bar. All four victims were residents of Anaconda.
According to court documents released in 2026, investigators allege Brown attempted to start a fire at the bar before carrying out the shooting. Prosecutors say he then fled the scene in a stolen pickup truck, leading authorities on a week-long search involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The manhunt ended on August 8, 2025, when officers located and arrested Brown near the search area west of Anaconda. Officials described the operation as one of the largest law enforcement searches in recent Montana history.
Brown has been charged with multiple counts of deliberate homicide along with additional offenses connected to the case. Court records indicate that questions regarding his mental competency have delayed legal proceedings, and the case remains ongoing as attorneys and mental health professionals continue evaluations.
The tragedy deeply affected the close-knit Anaconda community, where residents gathered for memorial events and tributes honoring the victims. Local leaders have repeatedly praised the resilience of the community while acknowledging the lasting emotional impact of the shooting.
As legal proceedings continue, family members, friends, and residents remain focused on seeking justice for the victims while remembering the lives lost during the devastating attack that shook the Montana town.
