Nancy Lauretta Kelley,Daniel Edwin Baillie Obituary, Death; – As the search for an Army veteran suspected of fatally shooting four individuals in a rural bar in Montana extended into a third day on Sunday, authorities disclosed the identities of the deceased.
Officials named the victims as Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, who worked as a bartender, along with three patrons: Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. The incident occurred on Friday morning at the Owl Bar located in the small town of Anaconda, approximately 20 miles northwest of Butte.
Authorities reported that the suspect, Michael P. Brown, 45, fled to the nearby foothills after discharging his weapon inside the bar. He utilized a rifle, as stated by Austin Knudsen, the Montana attorney general, during a news conference on Sunday.
“At this point, our suspect remains at large,” Mr. Knudsen remarked. He noted that Mr. Brown’s last interaction with law enforcement occurred around noon local time on Friday. The authorities have offered a reward of $7,500 for information that could lead to the suspect’s capture.
State officials indicated that their search efforts have expanded to include areas of National Forest System land located southwest of Anaconda. Forest officials had already restricted access to these areas due to the ongoing manhunt. Residents of Anaconda have been advised to exercise caution while continuing with their daily activities.
The dense underbrush and rugged terrain surrounding the town may hinder search operations. Local, state, and federal agents have been conducting searches on foot, as well as utilizing vehicles and helicopters. Mr. Knudsen mentioned that approximately 250 law enforcement officers were involved in the search on Saturday, but he added that some would need to return to their regular duties in the coming days.
“It’s still tourist season in western Montana, so we won’t have as many resources available for a concentrated search,” he explained.
The shooting has unsettled the community, leading to business closures and residents remaining indoors on Friday. By Saturday, the town began to recover, with at least one prayer vigil for the victims scheduled for Sunday.
