Anaconda, Montana, has descended into chaos as the small community processes the horror of a horrific quadruple murder. Police are still looking for the main suspect, 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown. The very sad shooting occurred at The Owl Bar. All four victims—Daniel Edwin Ballie, 59; Nancy Lauretta Kelly, 64; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74—were killed.
Brown served in the Montana National Guard from 2006 until March 2009 when he left the military with the rank of sergeant. He is now the prime suspect in those murders over the weekend. He’s a U.S. military veteran, having served as an armor crewman in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2001 to 2005. From the beginning of 2004 until March of 2005, he was deployed to Iraq. This dynamic makes the case much trickier. Investigators are working tirelessly to put together the timeline of events that culminated in this horrific crime.
The statewide investigation was launched after law enforcement offices received a flood of 911 calls reporting someone shooting inside The Owl Bar, just blocks away from Brown’s home. Brown was a regular of the bar, which adds another layer to the community’s feelings of safety and security. In the aftermath of these shootings, law enforcement released a video recording of Brown moments after one of these shootings. They released his picture, soliciting the community’s assistance in finding him.
Clare Boyle, Brown’s niece, has been vocal about her family’s struggle with his mental health. She stated, “This isn’t just a drunk/high man going wild. It’s a sick man who doesn’t know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn’t know where or when he is either.” Boyle stressed that she and her family had sought help for Brown several times. In doing so, they came up against major hurdles to providing him the support he required.
As law enforcement expands the search for Brown, police are actively investigating neighborhoods he grew up in as a child. At one point, along with police across the country, investigators searched those local woods where he hunted and camped, hoping to find any sign of the now-suspected fugitive. They suspect he might have ditched his first car and taken a second one that had camping equipment, shoes and clothing inside it.
Michael Paul Brown, last seen by law enforcement Friday afternoon. He is now considered armed, making Anaconda residents nervous. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen responded to these concerns head-on, saying, “So there definitely is concern for the public. He warned that “this is still Montana,” suggesting that Brown might soon find himself back in comfortable territory.
A $7,500 reward has been set up for information leading to Brown’s arrest. As the community continues to heal through the trauma of this tragic act, they stay on guard and fight for justice. As friends and family of the victims await healing from their losses, we can’t stop thinking about their contributions to our community. Robert Wyatt, a friend of one of the victims, shared that “If you were in trouble, you could count on Dave to come through.” His words reflect the tenderness embodied in those we have now tragically lost.
As investigations continue to unfold, community members are facing the reality of their loss. Local investigators encourage anyone with information to come forward. The picture has rapidly evolved. They have made great efforts to protect the public and to bring their victims justice, restoring peace to communities and providing closure to families of victims.