Fugitive from a Montana bar shooting confronts four charges of homicide after a week on the run from law enforcement

In the small town of Anaconda, Montana, a sense of unease has settled after a tragic incident at a local establishment, The Owl Bar. The suspect accused of taking four lives in the bar, Michael Paul Brown, was captured on Aug. 8, bringing an end to a tense manhunt that lasted several days.

Michael Paul Brown, a long-time patron of The Owl Bar, lived next door to the bar. Surprisingly, the owner of the establishment was not aware of any conflicts between Michael Paul Brown and the victims. The incident has left the town of approximately 9,000 people in shock.

The shooting occurred in a town with a rich history, founded by a copper magnate in the late 1800s. An operational smelter stack still looms over the valley, a reminder of Anaconda's industrial past.

Authorities have not commented on a potential motive for Michael Paul Brown's actions. However, it has been reported that Michael Paul Brown's niece stated that he long struggled with mental illness.

Executions have been on hold in Montana since 2015 due to a court ruling regarding a drug used in lethal injections. A conviction for murder in Montana, known as deliberate homicide, is punishable by death. However, the charges against Michael Paul Brown have not been made public yet, as charging documents were not immediately available.

Following the shooting, Michael Paul Brown stole a truck and ditched it a few miles outside of town. He then hid in nearby forests, moving locations while helicopters and drones circled overhead and officers and dogs searched on the ground.

Michael Paul Brown was finally captured inside an unoccupied structure near a state highway. He is currently being held on $2 million bail. Walter Hennessey, Michael Paul Brown's lawyer, did not respond to telephone messages on Friday or Saturday.

The four counts of murder Michael Paul Brown faces are listed in court records. His initial district court appearance is scheduled for September 3. Investigators are also examining whether Michael Paul Brown had any contact with individuals or property owners who might have helped him while he was on the run.

As the community of Anaconda begins to heal, they are left to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event. The Owl Bar, a place frequented by Michael Paul Brown for several decades, will likely never be the same.

Fugitive from a Montana bar shooting confronts four charges of homicide after a week on the run from law enforcement