A former U.S. Army soldier suspected of fatally shooting four people in rural Montana remains at large as of 3 August, authorities said, triggering a state-wide manhunt and warnings to residents, as well as a $7,500 reward for any information leading to the capture of the man.
According to authorities, the suspect, Michael Brown, 45, walked into the Owl Bar in southwestern Montana late on Friday morning and opened fire with a rifle, killing the bartender and three patrons, then fled the scene.
A stolen pickup truck used as a getaway vehicle was later recovered, but law enforcement's last sighting of the suspect was during a brief pursuit about two hours after the shooting, Knudsen told reporters.
Investigators have yet to determine a motive, but Brown lived near the bar, was a regular there himself and presumably knew all four of his victims, Knudsen said.
They were identified publicly on Sunday as bartender Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, and customers Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.
The manhunt, which has involved as many as 250 local, state and federal law enforcement personnel and various aircraft, remained focused on a mountainous area west of Anaconda, a town of fewer than 10,000 residents about 120 km (75 miles) southeast of Missoula.
"We want to find this guy," Knudsen said. "This is a dangerous individual who has committed an absolutely heinous crime against this community and his victims."
He said the reward of $7,500 offered by the U.S. Marshals Service for information leading to his arrest was an initial sum, indicating it might be increased.
Authorities have released a photo showing the suspect dressed only in black underpants and barefoot as he descends a flight of concrete steps with his hands braced against a wall. His face is smudged, and his chest and neck appear to be scraped.
Knudsen said the photo was taken after Brown had fled to another location near the shooting where "he got rid of some personal belongings and he got rid of his clothes."
The vehicle he is suspected of stealing was loaded with camping gear, and "we have very good reason to believe that he is clothed, he does have shoes, and he's probably able to get around," Knudsen said.
The attorney general said Brown also was presumed to still be carrying the murder weapon.
Residents have been urged to remain indoors and report any suspicious activity. “Do not approach. Call 911 immediately,” Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said in a statement.
The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service have joined the manhunt, which now spans multiple counties in western Montana.
Officials say the suspect has survival training and may be attempting to hide in remote terrain, making the search more difficult. Schools and some public offices in nearby towns will remain closed on Monday as a precaution.
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