Crime
4 killed after shooting at Owl Bar in Anaconda
ANACONDA, MT — A deadly mass shooting early Friday morning at the Owl Bar on 3rd Street in Anaconda left four people dead and triggered a high-intensity police response, prompting widespread lockdowns and a manhunt for the armed suspect.
Authorities say the suspect, believed to be wielding an AR-15-style rifle, opened fire inside or near the bar before fleeing the scene.
Initial reports estimated between two to four victims, later confirmed as four fatalities.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene as shots rang out, followed by the sound of sirens and a heavy law enforcement presence throughout the area.
Following the incident, police initiated an active search across town.
Multiple state and local law enforcement agencies converged on the community, establishing perimeters and pursuing leads as the suspect reportedly fled in a hijacked truck.
Scanner traffic and eyewitness accounts suggested the shooter was headed toward Georgetown Lake, prompting an extended search throughout Deer Lodge and neighboring areas.
At one point, officers surrounded a residence where the suspect was believed to be holed up.
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office issued an advisory confirming that deputies were stationed in the Georgetown Lake/Flint Creek area out of precaution. They described the suspect as wearing a tie-dye shirt, blue jeans, and an orange bandana. While officials stated there was no active threat to Granite County residents at the time, residents were asked to remain vigilant.
A source informed Channel2 NOW that the suspect is believed to be a military veteran who may have been struggling with alcohol and mental health issues. “From what I’ve been told by people who know him personally, he had reportedly stopped taking his prescribed medication,” the source said.
Anaconda was temporarily placed under a shelter-in-place order as officers moved through various neighborhoods and businesses were advised to shut down until the suspect was apprehended.
That order was briefly lifted but later reinstated amid conflicting reports and ongoing uncertainty about the shooter’s location.
Residents took to social media to share their concerns and warn others in real time. One woman wrote, “This is so scary—we’re at my mom’s in Anaconda taking care of her.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one post noting, “This is too close to home.”
Despite the large-scale search, the suspect’s identity has not yet been publicly released, and no arrest has been confirmed.
Law enforcement officials continue to urge the public to avoid the 3rd Street and Ash Street area and not to approach active police scenes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact local authorities immediately.
As of Friday afternoon, no further updates have been issued, and the situation remains under investigation.
If you are in the area:
- Avoid police activity zones and roadblocks.
- Stay indoors unless otherwise instructed by law enforcement.
- Report any suspicious activity or tips to 911.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Crime
5 dead including 3 children in Silver Rail Elementary shooting in Bend, teenage shooter killed by a Good Samaritan
BEND, Ore. — Five people were reportedly killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in southeast Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, according to preliminary information attributed to federal law enforcement.
The reported shooting prompted a major emergency response involving police, fire crews, and emergency medical services.
Authorities issued an alert at approximately 1:17 p.m., warning of a large police presence at the elementary school and urging the public to avoid the area.
According to the information provided, four victims were killed at the school. Three of those victims were children, while the fourth was an adult. The suspected gunman, described in preliminary reports as a teenager, was also reported dead, bringing the reported total to five fatalities.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, had not been fully established in the information available.
Preliminary reports indicated that the suspected gunman was a teenager and was killed after being confronted by a Good Samaritan.
Earlier scanner traffic reportedly indicated that the suspect had been neutralized. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the individual who intervened may have been a father of a student at the school.
However, authorities had not publicly confirmed all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or independently verified the reported identity and role of the person who intervened.
Investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, how the suspect was stopped, and whether the suspect acted alone.
The first police alert was issued at approximately 1:17 p.m. Thursday. It described a large police presence at Silver Rail Elementary School and instructed the public to stay away from the area.
Fire and emergency medical services personnel were seen responding near the school as authorities worked to address the reported threat and assist those affected.
The shooting prompted urgent concern among families and the surrounding community, particularly after reports indicated that children were among the victims.
Approximately 10 minutes after the initial alert, police announced a reunification site for students and their families at Journey Church, located at 61303 S. Highway 97 in Bend, near Goodwill and Dairy Queen.
Parents and guardians were instructed to go to the designated location to reunite with students and receive further information.
Authorities urged families to follow official instructions and avoid approaching the school while emergency operations continued.
The reported shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at nearby schools. Parents received alerts indicating that Caldera High School and Jewell Elementary School had been placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon.
The lockdowns were reported as law enforcement responded to Silver Rail Elementary and worked to secure the surrounding area.
Further information was needed to establish how long the lockdowns remained in effect and when normal school operations resumed.
Although preliminary information indicated five deaths, including three children, one adult victim, and the teenage suspect, additional official confirmation is needed regarding the victims’ identities, the suspect’s identity, and the circumstances of the shooting.
The reported involvement of a Good Samaritan also requires confirmation from investigators.
This remains a developing story. Further details should be added as law enforcement and school officials release verified information about the shooting and the investigation.