After the tragic incident, Brown fled into the nearby foothills, shedding his clothes in the escape, adding to the complexity of the search. Officials have yet to clarify a motive behind the violent act, which occurred in a location frequented by the suspect. Montana's Attorney General Austin Knudsen expressed pride in the law enforcement response to the situation, which led to the successful capture of Brown.

Brown, a veteran who served as an armour crewman in Iraq, reportedly entered the bar he often visited and opened fire shortly after arrival, seemingly without prior conflict with any of the victims. Among the deceased are barmaid Nancy Lauretta Kelley, aged 64, and three male patrons, aged between 59 and 74. The establishment's owner voiced confusion over the motives behind the incident, suggesting Brown may have simply "snapped."

After the shooting, authorities recovered a white Ford-150 truck believed to have been used in the suspect’s getaway but struggled to locate him for days. A photograph released shows Brown fleeing the scene in minimal clothing, leading investigators to believe he may have later acquired new apparel. The response to this tragedy raises questions about mental health and gun violence in the U.S., echoing wider concerns in society regarding the alarming rates of such incidents.