Anaconda, Montana, a town of just over 9,000 residents nestled in a valley surrounded by rugged mountains, grief and fear have settled over the streets following a horrific shooting at The Owl Bar on Friday, August 1, 2025. The tragedy claimed the lives of four beloved locals: Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. These individuals, known to many in this small former copper-smelting hub, were not just names but cherished neighbors, friends, and family members whose loss has left an indelible mark on the community. As the search for the suspect, 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, stretches into its fourth day, residents remain on edge, grappling with the shock of a crime that feels unthinkable in a place where people once left their cars and homes unlocked.
The shooting occurred around 10:30 a.m. at The Owl Bar, a local fixture in Anaconda’s Goosetown neighborhood, known for its welcoming atmosphere and claim to serving “the best tap beer in town.” Nancy Lauretta Kelley, a retired nurse who had spent decades caring for patients in Butte and Anaconda, was working as the bartender that morning, a role she took up after retiring in 2024 to stay connected with her community. Daniel Edwin Baillie, David Allen Leach, and Tony Wayne Palm were patrons, each a familiar face in the bar where regulars gathered to share stories and camaraderie. The suspect, Michael Paul Brown, was no stranger to the establishment either. A longtime resident who lived next door, Brown was known to frequent The Owl Bar, making the act even more incomprehensible to those who knew him. Authorities believe Brown used a personal rifle to carry out the attack, though no motive has been publicly confirmed.
As the community mourns, a massive manhunt is underway for Brown, who fled the scene in a stolen white Ford F-150 pickup truck, which was later found abandoned. Law enforcement, including over 250 officers from local, state, and federal agencies, has focused search efforts on the rugged terrain west of Anaconda, particularly around Stumptown Road and the Mount Haggin area. Local speculation points to the Mount Haggin Trail, a path that connects near Stumptown Road and leads into the Anaconda-Pintler Range, as a possible escape route. The trail, surrounded by dense forests, abandoned mines, and mountain lakes like Hearst and Haggin, offers countless hiding spots, complicating the search. National Guard helicopters equipped with infrared technology have been deployed, scouring the vast 5,000-acre landscape, while ground teams navigate the challenging topography. Authorities have warned that Brown, a former U.S. Army soldier who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and later in the Montana National Guard until 2009, is armed and dangerous. A $7,500 reward has been offered for information leading to his capture.
The victims’ stories paint a picture of a community bound by shared history and kindness. Nancy Kelley, remembered by her daughter Kristian as a gifted nurse, had cared for cancer patients and her husband through his battle with pancreatic cancer until his death in 2018. David Leach, described as a quiet but helpful neighbor despite his deafness, was always ready to lend a hand. Daniel Baillie and Tony Palm, both regulars at The Owl Bar, were woven into the fabric of Anaconda’s daily life. The bar’s owner, David Gwerder, expressed disbelief, noting that Brown had no known disputes with those in the bar that day, suggesting he may have “snapped.” Some residents and Brown’s acquaintances have pointed to his struggles with mental health, including possible post-traumatic stress disorder from his military service, though authorities have not confirmed these claims.
Anaconda, located 25 miles west of Butte and 80 miles southwest of Helena, is unaccustomed to such violence. The last comparable tragedy in the area was a 2015 murder-suicide that claimed five lives. As businesses cautiously reopen and residents attend prayer vigils, the town remains vigilant, with police urging anyone with information to call 911. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, speaking outside the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Courthouse, emphasized the priority of apprehending Brown, describing the crime as “heinous” and expressing condolences to a community reeling from loss. For now, Anaconda holds its breath, hoping for justice and healing in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy.
