The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) released images on 2/8 of 45-year-old Michael Paul Brown, the army veteran accused of killing at least four people the previous day at The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana.

The photos show Brown barefoot, shirtless, and wearing black shorts as he fled the scene. Authorities urged the public to report any sightings of Brown immediately and to avoid approaching him. “While there is no current information that Brown represents a danger to others, he is considered armed and extremely dangerous,” DCI director Lee Johnson said.

Michael Paul Brown fleeing the scene of the shooting on 1/8. Photo: AP

Michael Paul Brown fleeing the scene of the shooting on 1/8. Photo: AP

Brown fled the scene in a white Ford F-150 pickup truck. The vehicle was later located, but there was no sign of the suspect. A SWAT team searched Brown’s home, but found no new leads.

The search has expanded into the mountainous, wooded area west of Anaconda, with ground and air units deployed. The area was locked down on 1/8 and then placed under restricted access the following day.

Dan Haffey, a former Montana game warden, described the mountain region as vast and complex with “thousands of places to hide.”

Anaconda officials urged residents to stay indoors and remain vigilant. Many businesses in the town closed upon hearing about the shooting and waited for police to confirm the area was safe.

“In Montana, we’re no strangers to guns, but people started to get nervous when the town went into lockdown,” said Barbie Nelson, a local cafe owner.

David Gwerder, the owner of The Owl Bar, said Brown lived next door to the bar and knew the victims. "He didn’t have any problems with any of them. I think he snapped,” Gwerder said.

SWAT team at the scene of the shooting in Anaconda, Montana, on 1/8. Photo: AP

SWAT team at the scene of the shooting in Anaconda, Montana, on 1/8. Photo: AP

The U.S. Army confirmed Brown served in the armored branch from 2001 to 2005. He spent a year in Iraq before transferring to the Montana National Guard from 2006 to 2009. He left the military with the rank of sergeant.

Brown’s niece, Clare Boyle, said he has struggled with mental health issues for years. “This wasn’t a drunken rage or drug-induced, it was mental illness. There were times he didn’t know who he was or where he was at,” Boyle said.

Thanh Danh (AP, Fox News)