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The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation said authorities had located the pickup, a white Ford F-150, but said 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, the suspect, was still on the run. Police were focusing their search on the mountains around Stumptown Road west of Anaconda.

“While law enforcement has not received reports of Brown harming any other individuals, he is believed to be armed and he is extremely dangerous,” DCI administrator Lee Johnson said. “Residents in the area have been notified and are encouraged to stay inside their homes and on high alert.”

The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. at the Owl Bar at 819 E. 3rd St., the DCI said. Brown lived in a house next door to the bar, authorities said.

The DOJ said the four victims have been identified but their names would not be released until authorities had more time to talk with family members.

The bar owner, David Gwerder, said the bartender and three patrons were killed, according to a report by The Associated Press early Friday evening. He was not at the bar at the time but said he believed the four victims were the only ones present during the shooting.

He said he was not aware of any conflicts between Brown and the victims. Brown is a military veteran.

"He knew everybody that was in the bar. I guarantee you that," he said, according to AP. "He didn't have any running dispute with any of them. I just think he snapped."

According to multiple media reports, Brown served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005 and had been deployed at least once to Iraq. He was in the National Guard from 2006 to 2009 and his last known rank was sergeant.

Johnson said numerous police agencies were involved in the search and investigation, including Anaconda Police and Butte-Silver Bow law enforcement, as well as the FBI, the ATF, Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Gov. Greg Gianforte confirmed earlier there were victims and called it a tragedy. He posted on social media he was 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.

Numerous law enforcement agencies were on the scene of the shooting at the bar, including officers from neighboring Butte-Silver Bow County.

"There are multiple fatalities at the scene," Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester said in a notice to media early Friday afternoon.

Lester said if anyone spots Brown, they should call law enforcement immediately. Anyone with other information is asked to call Anaconda-Deer Lodge police at 406-563-5241.

The Granite County Sheriff's Office said the suspect's home in Anaconda had been "cleared by SWAT" but the man was still on the run.

Earlier police radio traffic indicated that law enforcement was trying to locate a man in a Ford F-150 pickup and someone on the scanner said four people were dead and the weapon used is believed to be a 7.62 assault rifle.

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

“Authorities are searching for a suspect believed to be armed. Please avoid the area,” it said.

The Owl Bar is in what is called the "Goosetown" neighborhood in Anaconda.

Jill Rowles, a patron at the nearby JFK Bar, said Friday morning’s shooting left her scared and freaked out.

Eileen Thompson, who lives a street over from the bar, said she knew one of the victims and the tragedy was hard for Anaconda residents to understand.

“Killing innocent people doesn’t make any sense,” Thompson said.

Another woman, who did not want to be identified, said she lived near the suspect, Michael Brown, and described the Owl Bar as a favorite watering hole for locals.

“Everyone knew each other,” she said.

Sandra Yi Barker, a spokesperson for the FBI's Salt Lake City office, confirmed the agency was assisting in the response. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also said it had agents responding.

Both U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said on social media they were aware of the shooting and monitoring the situation.

The Granite County Sheriff's Office also posted on social media.

"There is an active shooter in Anaconda Deer Lodge," the post said. "Granite County deputies are at the Georgetown Lake/Flint Creek area. The shooter is said to be wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans and an orange bandana. There is no threat to Granite County at this time."

State Sen. Sara Novak, a Democrat from Anaconda, said Friday afternoon she had been working in Philipsburg during the day and her family had been “hunkered down” after word of the shooting went out. She said she and her family were safe and would hopefully be reunited Friday evening.

Novak said the shooting and ongoing manhunt were “a little close for comfort.”

“I’m so sad for everybody that’s been affected,” she said. “… We’re grateful for all the local communities for the outpouring of support. I’m just heartbroken and sad – it’s such a quiet, tight-knit community and everybody knows everybody.”