Authorities Warn Montana Bar Shooting Suspect Could Return To Area As Manhunt Continues

Amid an ongoing manhunt Montana authorities warned nan nationalist Sunday that Michael Paul Brown, nan fishy accused of killing 4 group successful a Montana bar connected Friday morning, could return to Anaconda, nan municipality wherever nan shooting occurred astatine nan Owl Bar.

During a news briefing connected Sunday afternoon, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned nan nationalist they were dealing pinch "an unstable individual, who walked successful and murdered 4 group successful acold humor for nary logic whatsoever," Knudsen said. "So, location perfectly is interest for nan public."

Knudsen reiterated that Brown is believed to beryllium "an equipped and highly vulnerable individual, advised nan nationalist to stay vigilant and telephone 911 instantly if they spot him.

A $7,500 reward is being offered to anyone pinch accusation astir Brown, Knudsen added.

Knudsen besides identified nan 4 victims of nan Friday greeting shooting arsenic 64-year-old bartender Nancy Lauretta Kelly, and 3 patrons, 59-year-old Daniel Edwin Ballie, 70-year-old David Allen Leach and 74-year-old Tony Wayne Palm. All of nan victims were from Anaconda.

Knudsen said a motive for nan shooting was still nether investigation, but confirmed that Brown was a regular astatine nan barroom arsenic he lived adjacent door.

"I deliberation it’s apt that he knew nan bartender and these patrons, which makes this moreover much heinous," Knudsen said.

Knudsen said nan fishy utilized a firearm successful nan shooting, adding that Brown had entree to firearms.

"We're going to drawback this guy, this is still perfectly privilege number one," Knudsen said.

A manhunt has been underway for Brown since Friday morning, erstwhile he allegedly walked into nan Owl Bar astatine astir 10:30 a.m. and opened fire, authorities said.

Authorities said Brown fled nan segment wearing a tie-dye shirt, bluish jeans and an orangish bandana. However, a image released Saturday by nan Montana DOJ showed him fleeing nan scene, apparently stripped down to conscionable his boxers.

Michael Paul Brown fleeing nan segment of nan shooting.Montana Department of Justice

Knudsen said that image was taken "relatively soon" aft nan shooting, and that Brown sewage free of immoderate of his individual belongings and clothes. However, Brown was capable to get his hands connected a stolen conveyance that had immoderate clothing successful it and is now believed to beryllium afloat clothed, Knudsen said.

Knudsen did not norm retired that Brown whitethorn person committed suicide, but said that authorities "are acting nether nan presumption that he is alive, well, equipped and highly dangerous."

Brown is known to section rule enforcement and has a criminal record, Knudsen said.

Anyone who sees Brown is urged to telephone 1-877-wanted2 to study it, Knudsen said. As nan hunt for Brown continues, Knudsen did not norm retired that further arrests could beryllium made.

Officials person focused nan multi-agency hunt for Brown connected nan area disconnected Stumptown Road, and expanded to Barker Lake and nan surrounding area.

Friends of Brown said that he has a history of intelligence wellness issues. Shane Charles, nan proprietor of different barroom who grew up pinch Brown successful Anaconda, told NBC News that Brown struggled pinch post-traumatic accent disorder.

“Mike was a awesome feline erstwhile he was connected his meds. He did person immoderate intelligence wellness problems,” Charles said.

Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, besides said that Brown struggled pinch intelligence wellness issues, according to The Associated Press.

Brown served successful nan Army from 2001 to 2005, was deployed successful Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and was successful nan Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009, U.S. Army spokesperson Steve Warren said.