The intense, week-long search for Michael Paul Brown — wanted in connection with the shooting deaths of four people at the Owl Bar in Anaconda — came to an end Friday afternoon with his capture.
Authorities say Brown was taken into custody around 2 p.m. near the Ranch Bar, just south of Highway 1. He was found inside a structure within the designated search area, a location that had been previously cleared during the manhunt. Officials report the arrest was made without incident. Brown is now being held at the Butte-Silver Bow Detention Center.
At a Press conference, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Attorney General Austin Knudsen, and Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith commended the collaborative law enforcement effort and thanked the community for its patience and support.
“Our brave men and women in uniform didn’t waste a second,” Gianforte said. “Law enforcement jumped into action, began the search, and promised not to give up until they found this suspect.”
Knudsen called Friday “a good day,” adding, “We got the man. Michael Paul Brown is in custody. I am proud of the unrelenting law enforcement effort this week — federal, state, and local agencies came together to get the job done.”
Smith praised the teamwork between local officers, U.S. Marshals, and other agencies.