Shooting in Anaconda

[406dn]

Back in the bad old days, before I retired, the company I worked for changed their rules concerning firearms.

When I first hired on, you could have a firearm in your vehicle, but weren't allowed to bring one into the refinery. Later, they banned them in vehicles.

For a period of years I was the Union Chairman. I am glad that no wage employee was ever caught with a firearm in their vehicle. The Company did "random" searches in the parking lot, from time to time. I have little doubt they would have terminated a wage employee if they had found a firearm in their car.

A guy has to do what a guy has to do, but if there is an explicit ban on possessing a firearm at work, you are at the mercy of the company HR if comes to light.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

If what she said is true, and there’s no reason to doubt it, then a family member or the state should have had guardianship of him and had him in a secure facility. He’s obviously a danger to himself or others. I know that may seem severe to some, but it is truly the best, safest option in some cases.

I don’t disagree but my limited understanding is this is much easier said than done unless you have money. Part of the homeless epidemic is our society just doesn’t do well with taking care of these folks. Super sad.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I still suspect there was bad blood between persons.

Could be. But bad blood to you, me and sane citizens and bad blood to a mentally unstable individual can have drastically different outcomes.

 

[EKYHunter]

Back in the bad old days, before I retired, the company I worked for changed their rules concerning firearms.

When I first hired on, you could have a firearm in your vehicle, but weren't allowed to bring one into the refinery. Later, they banned them in vehicles.

For a period of years I was the Union Chairman. I am glad that no wage employee was ever caught with a firearm in their vehicle. The Company did "random" searches in the parking lot, from time to time. I have little doubt they would have terminated a wage employee if they had found a firearm in their car.

A guy has to do what a guy has to do, but if there is an explicit ban on possessing a firearm at work, you are at the mercy of the company HR if comes to light.

As is their right as the employer. But like you say, do what you gotta do.

 

[BuzzH]

If what she said is true, and there’s no reason to doubt it, then a family member or the state should have had guardianship of him and had him in a secure facility. He’s obviously a danger to himself or others. I know that may seem severe to some, but it is truly the best, safest option in some cases.

I don't disagree either, but as a Society we've decided that mental health, and paying for same, is just not a very high priority.

Its just easier and way more cost effective to ask for prayers for the victims and bury them, after the fact.

 

[EKYHunter]

I don’t disagree but my limited understanding is this is much easier said than done unless you have money. Part of the homeless epidemic is our society just doesn’t do well with taking care of these folks. Super sad.

Here in KY, there’s no cost to seek or obtain guardianship of someone. Their care going forward can be a different story though but there are some state ran facilities.

 

[Hem]

Could be. But bad blood to you, me and sane citizens and bad blood to a mentally unstable individual can have drastically different outcomes.

Speculation: unstable person goes out for a few the night before. Catches some ribbing from a few regulars, or the bartender makes some comments and shuts him down. Dude knows where to go next morning after a night of ramping up.
Im guessing some of the slain were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

[EKYHunter]

Speculation: unstable person goes out for a few the night before. Catches some ribbing from a few regulars, or the bartender makes some comments and shuts him down. Dude knows where to go next morning after a night of ramping up.
Im guessing some of the slain were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Didn’t he live very close to the bar?

 

[Hem]

Didn’t he live very close to the bar?

Beats me.

 

[BuzzH]

Didn’t he live very close to the bar?

Yes, right next door it appears.

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/02/nx-s1-5490994/montana-manhunt-bar-shooting

Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar, said owner David Gwerder, who wasn't there during the shooting Friday morning. Gwerder told The Associated Press that the bartender and three patrons were killed and didn't think anyone else was inside. He also said he wasn't aware of any conflicts between Brown and any of the victims.

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

 

[Hem]

Yes, right next door it appears.

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/02/nx-s1-5490994/montana-manhunt-bar-shooting

Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar, said owner David Gwerder, who wasn't there during the shooting Friday morning. Gwerder told The Associated Press that the bartender and three patrons were killed and didn't think anyone else was inside. He also said he wasn't aware of any conflicts between Brown and any of the victims.

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

It's a disturbing situation.

 

[mtmuley]

Its just easier and way more cost effective to ask for prayers for the victims and bury them, after the fact.

So how do we identify the problem before it is a problem? C'mon Buzz. You are answer man. mtmuley

 

[BuzzH]

So how do we identify the problem before it is a problem? mtmuley

Apparently his niece knew something was up, coworkers, likely other family members knew as well.

 

[mtmuley]

Apparently his niece knew something was up, coworkers, likely other family members knew as well.

Yeah. It was in the news. Thanks. mtmuley

 

[kodiakisland]

Back in the bad old days, before I retired, the company I worked for changed their rules concerning firearms.

When I first hired on, you could have a firearm in your vehicle, but weren't allowed to bring one into the refinery. Later, they banned them in vehicles.

For a period of years I was the Union Chairman. I am glad that no wage employee was ever caught with a firearm in their vehicle. The Company did "random" searches in the parking lot, from time to time. I have little doubt they would have terminated a wage employee if they had found a firearm in their car.

A guy has to do what a guy has to do, but if there is an explicit ban on possessing a firearm at work, you are at the mercy of the company HR if comes to light.

Rules at work say I can't have a firearm in my vehicle at work.17 years and no one has ever looked in my vehicle, so I guess that's good.

 

[Deleted member 16864]

We need to bring back insane asylums.

 

[Straight Arrow]

We need to bring back insane asylums.

Mental healthcare facilities already exist. Sadly, mental health and treatment facilities do not get adequate attention, support, and, most critically ... funding.

The news reports indicated that this guy was treated previously, but was rejected at one point by the state hospital for whatever reason.

 

[Hammsolo]

As many of you know, I grew up in Anaconda. My brother and I grew up hanging out with friends in the government subsidized housing. We had multiple friends that lived there.

Montana State Mental Hospital is in neighboring Warm Springs, and my Dad was a psychologist there. Montana State Prison is in Deer Lodge, and he was also a psychologist there. When people were released, where do you think they went? My friends that lived in the homes Dad was institutionalized there due to PTSD, Agent Orange and more from Vietnam.

We played pick up hoops and football with Michael (Mike) and his brother William (Bill) at the Homes. I wasn’t friends with them, nor was my brother so we didn’t know them very well.

Bill murdered Phil Nebeker in 2003. I have attached a document. They came from a rough background, both struggled with mental illness. I don’t remember their parents. Mike was known to be schizophrenic and if you read the court documents about Bill he clearly has similar traits.

Anaconda was a wild place to grow up in the 80’s. It was filled with addiction, mental illness, poverty and violence. Between the toxins in the environment and the collapsed economy it was almost dystopian. It was eat or be eaten. “Scraps” were part of the accepted culture. When I tell people stories they’re shocked. I love giving my students reality checks with stories of torn out earrings and/or teachers encouraging fights and watching as a student is bloodied in PE and just yelled at to go clean up after.

Mike was known for wild stories and being unhinged. Why do I share this? I’m not sure. Sadly, I’m just not really surprised at what happened.

State vs. Brown 2003

 

[mtmuley]

Back in the bad old days, before I retired, the company I worked for changed their rules concerning firearms.

When I first hired on, you could have a firearm in your vehicle, but weren't allowed to bring one into the refinery. Later, they banned them in vehicles.

For a period of years I was the Union Chairman. I am glad that no wage employee was ever caught with a firearm in their vehicle. The Company did "random" searches in the parking lot, from time to time. I have little doubt they would have terminated a wage employee if they had found a firearm in their car.

A guy has to do what a guy has to do, but if there is an explicit ban on possessing a firearm at work, you are at the mercy of the company HR if comes to light.

I'll skirt the rules to have it and not need it. My superiors know. Too many people out there these days that are dangerous. I won't be a victim. mtmuley

 

[Richard22]

Locals had been saying for some time the guy was mentally unstable and capable of doing such a thing. But as is usually the case, nothing is done until their actions confirm suspicions.

There was a time when the Army could often fix the broken. Not so much anymore, with some leaving even more broken than they were before.