Montana city on lockdown after shooter killed four then went on run

A Montana city is still on lockdown hours after four people were killed in a bar by an active shooter.

A shelter in place is in effect for Anaconda after a suspect identified by police as Michael Paul Brown, 45, allegedly opened fire inside Owl Bar in the city on Friday.

Brown is said to have opened fire inside of Anaconda's Owl Bar, which he lives next door to, at 10.30am, shooting the bartender and three patrons. 

One person who spoke with MTN News said they had been at a nearby bar and saw the shooter walking around with a rifle.

Brown is armed and dangerous, according to The Anaconda Deer-Lodge County Law Enforcement Center which released an image of him amid the manhunt.

Officials said that he was last seen wearing a tie-dyed t shirt, blue jeans and an orange bandana. 

Police said they pulled over the driver of a white Ford F-150 after chasing after the vehicle, but Brown was not inside the vehicle.

SWAT teams also raided Brown's property, but he was not inside. According to records Brown's home is directly adjacent to the bar.

The local sheriff's office is urging residents to remain inside and stay 'vigilant'. 

The suspect was last seen in the Stump Town area, which is just west of Anaconda, according to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center.

He was believed to still be armed, the Montana Highway Patrol said in a statement.

The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation, confirmed four people were pronounced dead at the scene.

More than a dozen officers from local and state police converged on Stump Town where they appeared to be searching for the suspect in the woods.

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.

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.' 

The owner of the Firefly Café in Anaconda said she locked up her business after getting alerted to the shooting by a friend. 

'We are Montana, so guns are not new to us. For our town to be locked down, everybody´s pretty rattled,' café owner Barbie Nelson told the Associated Press.

'It's a small town, so we all probably know someone who was there' at the shooting. she added.

NBC Montana reporter Josh Margolis shared an image of a SWAT team near the bar shortly after 1pm Mountain Time. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver office said that multiple people had been shot inside a business in Anaconda.

A spokesperson for the FBI's Salt Lake City office, which covers the area, said the bureau was assisting in the response. 

'There is a heavy law enforcement presence west of Anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road,' The Montana Highway Patrol said.

'Authorities are searching for a suspect believed to be armed. Please avoid the area.'

Governor Greg Gianforte said he is 'closely monitoring' the situation.

'Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy,' he said.

Authorities have yet to release details about what led to the shooting or the conditions of those who were injured. 

As of 11.45pmET the suspect remains at large, according to an update from the Granite County Sherriff's Office.