UNIONTOWN, Pennsylvania — A quiet Tuesday evening in Fayette County was violently upended this week as shockwaves of profound grief and terror rippled through the streets of Uniontown. What began as a standard emergency dispatch quickly escalated into a heartbreaking scene of loss and a high-stakes manhunt that has local law enforcement on edge. Authorities have officially identified the victim of a fatal shooting on Dunlap Street as 20-year-old Lemaur Thompson Jr., a young man whose life was cut short in a hail of gunfire that has left a community reeling and demanding answers.

As the Fayette County Coroner’s Office officially rules the death a homicide, the focus of a multi-agency task force has shifted to the apprehension of 18-year-old Braedon Dickinson. Dickinson, a name already familiar to Pennsylvania’s judicial system, is currently the subject of an intense BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert, with the District Attorney issuing a chilling warning: he is to be considered “armed and dangerous.”

Breaking Details: Chaos on Dunlap Street

The incident unfolded on the evening of February 4, 2026, when residents near the 100 block of Dunlap Street reported the unmistakable staccato of multiple gunshots. When first responders arrived at the scene, they found a grim reality. Lemaur Thompson Jr. was discovered suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Despite the frantic efforts of paramedics and emergency room staff at a local hospital, Thompson was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The atmosphere in the immediate aftermath was one of panic and confusion. Witnesses described a heavy police presence that descended upon the neighborhood, with K-9 units and forensic teams cordoning off the area. “It felt like a war zone for a few minutes,” one neighbor whispered, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation. “You don’t expect this on your doorstep, even if you know the world is getting crazier.”

Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele confirmed that the shooting was not a random act of violence, but rather a targeted confrontation that spilled over into the public eye. The urgency of the investigation is underscored by the suspect’s history and the brazen nature of the crime, which occurred in broad daylight during the late afternoon hours.

The Investigation: Forensic Mapping and the Hunt for Dickinson

Pennsylvania State Police – Uniontown, working in tandem with the Uniontown Police Department and the Fayette County District Attorney’s Office, have spent the last 48 hours in a grueling evidentiary search. Forensic mapping teams were seen on Dunlap Street late into the night, placing yellow evidence markers where shell casings had fallen and using laser scanners to reconstruct the trajectory of the bullets.

Investigators are currently reviewing hours of CCTV footage from surrounding businesses and private residences. The goal is to piece together the moments leading up to the fatal encounter and to track the escape route utilized by the suspect. According to sources close to the investigation, a vehicle of interest may have been used to flee the scene, though specific details on the make and model are being withheld to avoid compromising the search.

The legal process is now moving at a lightning pace. A warrant has been issued, and the BOLO for Braedon Dickinson has been disseminated to every law enforcement agency in the tri-state area. Dickinson is described as a Black male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution; if spotted, do not approach, but call 911 immediately.

The Victim’s Life/Legacy: A Young Soul Lost

Lemaur Thompson Jr. was only 20 years old—a time of life that should have been defined by ambition, growth, and the pursuit of dreams. Instead, he has become a statistic in a growing epidemic of violence. Those who knew Lemaur describe him as a young man who was deeply connected to his family.

To his loved ones, he was more than a headline; he was a beacon of light who touched every soul in his inner circle. He was known for a quiet, observant nature and a smile that could disarm the tensest of situations. “He was a kind-hearted kid who was trying to find his way,” a family friend shared. “To have his life stolen like this is a profound grief that words cannot even begin to touch.”

The tragedy of his death is magnified by the potential that will now go unfulfilled. As the community gathers to mourn, the focus remains on the “why”—why a young man with his whole life ahead of him was gunned down on a neighborhood street, and how the system failed to prevent a known offender from being in a position to cause such harm.

A Suspect with a Troubled Past: Who is Braedon Dickinson?

The search for Braedon Dickinson is complicated by his history of eluding authorities. At just 18 years old, Dickinson is no stranger to the justice system. Records indicate that he was previously involved in a high-profile homicide case in New Kensington in 2022 when he was only 14. In that instance, he was charged as an accomplice in the shooting death of 39-year-old Jason Raiford.

Further compounding his notoriety, Dickinson made headlines in 2023 when he escaped from a juvenile detention center in Hempfield Township. His ability to navigate the shadows and evade capture has made him a top priority for the Pennsylvania State Police. The District Attorney’s Office has made it clear that anyone found to be harboring or assisting Dickinson will face the full weight of the law. “This is not a game,” a spokesperson for the DA’s office stated. “A young man is dead, and the individual responsible is a threat to every person in this county.”

Community Reaction: A City on the Edge

The Uniontown community is currently gripped by a mixture of sorrow and righteous anger. On social media, tributes to Lemaur Thompson Jr. are appearing alongside demands for increased police patrols and stricter oversight of repeat juvenile offenders. The Dunlap Street neighborhood, usually a place where children play and neighbors converse, has fallen silent as residents lock their doors and keep a watchful eye on the street.

“We are tired of the funerals,” said a local community leader. “We are tired of seeing our young men in the ground before they’ve even had a chance to live. This homicide isn’t just a crime against Lemaur; it’s a crime against the peace and safety of Uniontown.”

Local churches are planning a prayer vigil for the Thompson family, while local businesses have begun collecting donations to assist with funeral expenses. The collective hope is that by coming together, the community can provide the support needed to navigate this heartbreaking scene of loss.

Call for Action: Tips and Public Safety

Law enforcement is leaning heavily on the “eyes and ears” of the public. Crime Stoppers has partnered with local police to offer a platform for anonymous tips. If you have any information—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant—regarding the events of Tuesday evening or the current whereabouts of Braedon Dickinson, you are urged to speak up.

Contact Information:

• PSP – Uniontown: (724) 439-7111

• Uniontown Police Department: (724) 430-2929

• Fayette County Crime Stoppers: (724) 437-TIPS

Your information could be the key to bringing a killer to justice and providing the Thompson family with the closure they so desperately seek.

Conclusion: A Solemn Promise

As the sun sets over Uniontown, the shadow of this tragedy remains long. The investigation into the death of Lemaur Thompson Jr. is far from over, and the manhunt for Braedon Dickinson continues with unrelenting intensity. We stand with the victims, the families, and the officers who are working tirelessly to restore order. The memory of Lemaur Thompson Jr. will be honored not just through words, but through the pursuit of truth and the unwavering demand for justice.

This is a developing story. Channel2 NOW Staff will continue to monitor the investigation and provide updates as they become available.

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Summary of Key Facts

• Who: Lemaur Thompson Jr. (Victim, 20); Braedon Dickinson (Person of Interest, 18).

• What: Fatal shooting ruled a homicide.

• Where: 100 block of Dunlap Street, Uniontown, PA.

• When: Tuesday evening, February 3, 2026.

• Why: Motive remains under investigation; targeted confrontation.

• Status: BOLO issued for Dickinson; suspect is considered “Armed and Dangerous.”