CRIME
Authorities Searching For Suspect Accused Of Killing Maryland Judge Over Child Custody Ruling
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Maryland authorities on Friday were seeking the public’s help locating 49-year-old Pedro Argote, the suspect accused of shooting and killing a district court judge in his driveway Thursday night.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at around 8 p.m. Thursday to a report of a shooting on the 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road in Hagerstown. The victim, Washington County, Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was transported to Meritus Medical Center with gunshot wounds, where he later died of his injuries.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Sheriff Brian Albert described it as a targeted attack, and said Wilkinson was shot in his driveway while his wife and son were home.
There was a divorce hearing earlier on Thursday, during which Wilkinson awarded custody of Argote’s four children to their mother, but Argote was not in attendance, Albert said.
Wilkinson ordered there to be no visitation or contact between Argote and his children, and awarded their mother sole use and possession of the family home, prohibiting Argote from the property, per reports.
We have responded to the residence for verbal domestic assaults two times within the last few years, Albert said, but he was not aware of any criminal record. Albert said Argote owned a handgun legally.
Argote is described as standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with Maryland registration plates 4EH0408.
Albert said Argote should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about Argotes location is asked to notify law enforcement immediately.
TMX contributed to this article.
