Governor Gianforte Praises Law Enforcement for Arrest of Anaconda Shooter

Anaconda suspect Michael Brown apprehended Friday afternoon

• August 08 2025

ANACONDA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today held a press conference to praise law enforcement for making an arrest of the suspect involved in a recent shooting in Anaconda that resulted in the death of four Montanans.

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, Michael Paul Brown is now in custody,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Justice will be served. As we turn the page on this tragedy, we must continue to pray for the victims’ families.”

Gov. Gianforte holding a press conference in Anaconda

According to the Montana Department of Justice, authorities apprehended and arrested Michael Paul Brown near the search area in Anaconda at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday. He is now in custody and currently being held at the Butte-Silver Bow Detention Center.

“I am proud of the unrelenting law enforcement effort this week to find and arrest Michael Paul Brown,” Attorney General Austin Knudsen said. “The support we’ve seen for the community of Anaconda from across the state and the nation has also been remarkable. The families and friends of the victims remain in my prayers.”

On Friday, August 1, around 10:30 a.m., 45-year-old Michael Brown walked into The Owl Bar and opened fire killing four people before fleeing the scene.

During a briefing on Tuesday with Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Anaconda Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith, Anaconda Deer Lodge Police Chief Bill Sather, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator Lee Johnson, and representatives of the FBI, Montana National Guard, and U.S. Marshals Service, the governor received an update on the ongoing search for Brown.

Earlier this week, the governor signed an executive order to use state emergency funds to support law enforcement responding to the event, specifically to assist with overtime pay.

According to County Attorney Morgan Smith, over 38 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies had responded and assisted in the ongoing search for Michael Brown.

Since Friday, Anaconda Deer Lodge law enforcement agencies had received support from the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the Montana National Guard with canines, aerial resources, manpower, and other supports for the search.

“Thanks to the work of all law enforcement partners, the entire community of Anaconda is going to sleep tonight and truly rest. For myself and many others involved in the investigation, this isn’t the end, this is the beginning. I am confident in the investigative work that has been done to this point and confident in the work to come to prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law,” Anaconda Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith said.

Watch a portion of Governor Gianforte’s press conference here. A video of the full press conference will be uploaded to the governor’s Facebook page.