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The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. at the Owl Bar at 819 E. 3rd St., the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation said in a news release.

"Four people have been pronounced dead, and the scene is secure," it said. "This is an active investigation, and more information will be shared when available."

Gov. Greg Gianforte confirmed earlier there were victims and called it a tragedy. 

Gianforte posted on social media he is closely monitoring the situation.

“Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy,” he said.

Numerous law enforcement agencies were on the scene of the shooting at the bar, including officers from neighboring Butte-Silver Bow County.

"There are multiple fatalities at the scene," Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester said in a notice to media. 

He said the suspect was Michael Brown, 45, of Anaconda, and he was last seen driving a white Ford F-150 pickup with Montana plates DTY493.

The Granite County Sheriff's Office said the suspect's home in Anaconda had been "cleared by SWAT" but the man was still on the run.

Police radio traffic indicated that law enforcement was trying to locate a man in a Ford F-150 pickup and someone on the scanner said four people were dead and the weapon used is believed to a .762 assault rifle.

The Montana Highway Patrol said there is heavy law enforcement presence west of Anaconda near Stumptown Road and Anderson Ranch Loop Road.

“Authorities are searching for a suspect believed to be armed. Please avoid the area,” it said.

The Owl Bar is in what is called the "Goosetown" neighborhood in Anaconda.

Jill Rowles, a patron at the nearby JFK Bar, said Friday morning’s shooting left her scared and freaked out.

Eileen Thompson, who lives a street over from the bar, said she knew one of the victims and the tragedy was hard for Anaconda residents to understand.

“Killing innocent people doesn’t make any sense,” Thompson said.

Another woman, who did not want to be identified, said she lived near the suspect, Michael Brown, and described the Owl Bar as a favorite watering hole for locals.

“Everyone knew each other,” she said.

Sandra Yi Barker, a spokesperson for the FBI's Salt Lake City office, confirmed the agency was assisting in the response. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also it had agents responding.

Both U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said on social media they were aware of the shooting and monitoring the situation.

The Granite County Sheriff's Office also posted on social media.

"There is an active shooter in Anaconda Deer Lodge," the post said. "Granite County deputies are at the Georgetown Lake/Flint Creek area. The shooter is said to be wearing a tie-dyed shirt, blue jeans and an orange bandana. There is no threat to Granite County at this time."

Lester said shortly after 2 p.m. that the Ford pickup Brown was driving was last seen west of Anaconda on Stumptown Road. He said Brown is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair.

“Brown is believed to be armed and extremely dangerous,” Lester said. “If anyone spots Brown or his vehicle, call law enforcement immediately. Anyone with other information is asked to call Anaconda-Deer Lodge police at 406-563-5241.

State Sen. Sara Novak, a Democrat from Anaconda, said Friday afternoon she had been working in Philipsburg during the day and her family had been “hunkered down” after word of the shooting went out. She said she and her family were safe and would hopefully be reunited Friday evening.

Novak said the shooting and ongoing manhunt were “a little close for comfort.”

“I’m so sad for everybody that’s been affected,” she said. “… We’re grateful for all the local communities for the outpouring of support. I’m just heartbroken and sad – it’s such a quiet, tight-knit community and everybody knows everybody.”