Authorities have found the white Ford F-150 allegedly used by a former Army sergeant to flee after a deadly bar shooting in Montana – but the suspected killer is still at large.
Michael Paul Brown, 45, is accused of gunning down four people – including a bartender – at The Owl Bar in Anaconda around 10 a.m. Friday before disappearing into the wilderness.
Law enforcement officials say Brown, of Anaconda, is ‘armed and dangerous’ and was last spotted in the remote Stumptown area west of the city.
After locating the abandoned pickup, officers launched a massive air and ground search across the mountainous terrain near Stumptown Road, which continued into Saturday.
Authorities also released a chilling photo of Brown, believed to be moments after the shooting.
The image showed him barefoot, shirtless, and wearing black shorts as he descended a set of concrete steps.
Officials have not yet released the names of the victims, identified only as a bartender and three others, saying they will do so when ‘the time is appropriate.’
No motive for the attack has been disclosed.
The owner of a Montana bar where a gunman killed four people before going on the run believes the suspect just ‘snapped.’
Michael Paul Brown, 45, is seen shirtless and barefoot in this image released by authorities Saturday, taken shortly after the fatal bar shooting
Brown served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and left the Army with the rank of sergeant, according to military records
Pictured: The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, where four people – including a bartender – were gunned down Friday morning
David Gwerder, owner of the Owl Bar, said alleged shooter Michael Paul Brown likely knew the victims of Friday’s attack.
SWAT teams stormed Brown’s home on Friday but found no trace of the suspected killer, who remains at large.
‘He knew everybody that was in that bar, I guarantee you that,’ Gwerder said.
‘He didn’t have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped.’
Gwerder was not at the bar at the time of the shooting and believes the victims were the only ones inside.
Though no further injuries have been reported, officials insist Brown is still considered armed and dangerous – and residents have been urged to stay indoors and remain on high alert.
With no sign of the Army veteran in the truck or at his residence, authorities locked down the Stumptown Road area west of Anaconda, flooding it with air and ground teams and barring anyone from entering or leaving.
The lockdown was lifted Saturday, but the search effort continues.
Authorities have found the white Ford F-150 (stock photo) allegedly used by Brown to flee after a deadly bar shooting in Montana
He was last seen near Stumptown Road, where authorities locked down the area as helicopters and SWAT teams scoured the rugged terrain
The Department of Criminal Investigation has warned the public not to approach Brown under any circumstances.
Instead, anyone who spots him is urged to call 911.
He is described as 5-foot-10, about 170 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
A woman who appears to be related to Brown took to social media as the manhunt continued saying ‘mental health is real’.
Clare Boyle posted after the horrific events unfolded writing: ‘There is one thing I’m certain of. Mental health is real.
‘And it goes unmanaged and dismissed every single day. There are people who search for help and get turned away at every stop along the path.
‘There are people who cry for help and show DEFINITE warning signs of crash out. This town? All this town does is talk and judge.’
Daily Mail has approached her for further details.
Despite SWAT clearing his home and truck, Brown remains at large – residents have been warned not to approach him under any circumstances
Residents were urged to stay inside as helicopters and SWAT units locked down the area during Friday’s manhunt
A friend to Brown wrote on Facebook: ‘The shooter was a friend, combat veteran with PTSD and a delusional mentality of still being active spec ops! He would tell me these outrageous stories of his that were straight out of motion pictures!
‘Mikey Brown needed help! Several locals contacted authorities and pleaded for them to do something to no avail! He was always polite to everyone he was in contact with! Gentle soul, I knew him for years, and watched his mental health decline!
‘PTSD is a serious disease! I am so sorry for those who lost their lives and their loved ones who are dealing with the loss of their own! Mikey I’m sorry people didn’t listen! God Bless Anaconda.’
Army records show Brown served as an armor crewman from 2001 to 2005, deploying to Iraq for over a year.
He later joined the Montana National Guard, serving until 2009.
He left the military with the rank of sergeant.
