Police are searching for a man accused of killing at least four people Friday at a Montana business.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, of Anaconda, is believed to be armed and dangerous and was last seen in the Stumptown area, which is west of Anaconda, according to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center.
It is unclear what led to the shooting, which happened at about 10 a.m. at The Owl Bar. Authorities have not yet confirmed if there were additional injuries.
ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORT PROMPTS MASSIVE POLICE RESPONSE IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN BUSINESS DISTRICT
The Montana Department of Corrections confirmed to Fox News Digital that Montana State Prison, a men’s facility in Deer Lodge, is locked down for “safety and security reasons.”
“This facility is located on about 38,000 acres which are in relatively close proximity to Anaconda, where the shootings occurred,” MDOC communications director Carolynn Stocker wrote in a statement.
Brown’s house was cleared by SWAT, but he is still at large, according to GCSO.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) posted to social media noting a person involved in an F-150 car chase in the area was not the suspect.
SHOOTING AT NEVADA CASINO RESORT LEAVES MULTIPLE PEOPLE INJURED; SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
Montana Highway Patrol and Anaconda authorities asked the public to avoid the area of Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road.
Anaconda is less than 80 miles southeast of Missoula.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Denver Field Division told Fox News Digital it is at the scene providing assistance.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also responding to provide investigative support, according to a statement on X from FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
CHILLING IMAGE SHOWS IDAHO FIREFIGHTER AMBUSH SUSPECT IN WAR PAINT BEFORE DEADLY ATTACK
Gov. Greg Gianforte said he is praying for the victims in a Facebook post.
“I’m closely monitoring the situation involving an active shooter in Anaconda,” Gianforte wrote. “Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy.”
Senators Steve Daines, R-Mon., and Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., also said they are keeping an eye on developments in separate social media posts.
“We are monitoring this tragedy and are in touch with local authorities,” Sheehy wrote in an X post. “We thank law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to protect our communities and pray for the victims, their families, and the entire Anaconda community.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center, GCSO, Montana Highway Patrol, FBI and ATF did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
