A judge made a life-changing ruling in a couple’s divorce. Police say the husband shot him dead hours later
Andrew Wilkinson was found dead outside his home on Thursday. A manhunt is now underway for person of interest Pedro Argote, Amelia Neath writes
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A typical day for Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson ended in unspeakable tragedy as he was gunned down in his own driveway.
Mr Wilkinson was sworn in as a judge in 2020 to the Washington County Circuit Court, excited to serve his community.
His life was cut short on 19 October - and a manhunt is now underway for 49-year-old Pedro Argote, who is considered a person of interest in the case.
The two men crossed paths - albeit not physically - hours before the killing, when Wilkinson presided over a divorce hearing between Mr Argote and his estranged partner. Mr Argote was not present in the courtroom when Wilkinson gave his wife custody of their children.
Police described the shooting as a “targeted attack” and said Mr Argote is considered “armed and dangerous”. A manhunt for him is underway.
Here’s everything we know so far about the alleged murder:
The shooting
Wilkinson was fatally shot while he was in the driveway of his home in Hagerstown, Maryland, police said.
The judge was found with gunshot wounds at around 8pm on 19 October.
He was rushed to Meritus Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
This shooting is unusual to the area, as Washington County in Maryland has only reported two homicides - one in April and one in July - in 2023, according to police.
Maryland State Police have reportedly dispatched troopers to protect other judges in the area, reported 7News.
The suspect
Police identified the suspect in the killing as 49-year-old Pedro Argote on 20 October.
Mr Argote’s divorce case was in Wilkinson’s courtroom on the day of the killing, according to Circuit Court of Maryland records. Authorities said Mr Argote was not at the hearing, where Wilkinson gave his wife custody of their children.
Wilkinson has been presiding over the case - seeking a partial judgment of absolute divorce - since October 2022. Another hearing in the case was set for 31 October, but the records now show that it has been postponed/reset.
The suspect had a history of controlling and cruel behaviour towards his ex-wife, according to court documents. This behaviour reportedly included keeping hold of her car keys at all times so he knew when she was leaving home, stealing money from her, harassing her via text messages, using security cameras to monitor her, and even an accusation that he had been violent with their child.
The couple also had a long history of domestic incidents and in 2012, his ex-wife claimed, adding that she had tried to get help from a domestic violence advocacy center.
Police have described Mr Argote as 5 foot 7 inches tall, 130 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. They believe he could be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with the Maryland registration plate of 4EH0408.
The public has been warned not to approach Mr Argote but to contact the police immediately with any information on his location.
The search
The suspect’s car was found over the weekend in a wooded area off Bottom Road in Williamsport – around eight miles from Hagerstown, where the shooting took place.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a press conference that they were yet to thoroughly search the car, but will be taking out the GPS and computer systems, as well as any other physical items, from the SUV.
Police had been conducting a search of the Williamsport area, but those operations came to a close on 22 October, four days after the shooting with no sign of Mr Argote.
The sheriff’s office announced that the US Marshals Service is offering $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Pedro Argote. Police said the suspect might head out of state, as he has connections to New York — in the Brooklyn and Long Island area — and Florida — in Tampa and Clearwater— as well as Indiana and North Carolina.
“We’re going to catch this guy. It’s just a matter of time,” Sheriff Brian Albert said at a press conference.
Who is Judge Wilkinson?
Wilkinson was born in Agana, Guam in 1971. His family moved around a lot during his childhood as part of the military, but settled in Hagerstown when his mother was hired as a law clerk for Judge Frederick Wright III in 1983.
He received a bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of North Carolina before earning his law degree from the Emory University School of Law in 1997.
Wilkinson became a circuit law clerk in Washington County before being sworn in as an associate judge for the County Circuit Court in 2020.
At his swearing-in, Wilkinson said he wanted to become a judge to serve the community, The Herald-Mail reported.
“It’s an honour and it’s humbling, and I’m happy to serve,” he said, thanking the now-retired judge, Mr Wright, for guiding his career.
Alongside his successful legal career, Wilkinson was a father and a husband; according to Fox 5, he was involved in the community, such as helping out at local Little League baseball and soccer games.
Grief pours out from Hagerstown community
Wilkinson was one of six current circuit court judges in Washinton County, who reportedly knew “each other very well,” according to his colleague Administrative Judge Brett R Wilson, the New York Times reported.
Mr Wilson called the night of the killing “horrific” in an interview with Fox 5.
The Maryland Judiciary issued a statement on his death.
“The Maryland Judiciary mourns the tragic death of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. As we grieve his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and please respect their privacy,” the statement read.
“The Maryland Judiciary is actively engaging with law enforcement to assist in resolving this matter and to ensure the safety of our judges, staff, and visitors, which remains our top priority.”
Former State Delegate for Maryland Neil Parrot wrote on X after he heard the devastating news.
“Horrible news in Washington County tonight. It appears that Judge Andrew Wilkinson was shot multiple times and has passed away,” he wrote.
“Police are actively searching for the murderer. Please pray for our police and for Judge Wilkinson’s family at this time.”
History repeats itself
This is not the first time Hagerstown has seen one of its judges attacked.
On 22 December 1989, a pack of pipe bombs exploded in the third-floor apartment of Judge John Corderman, according to the Herald-Mail archives.
The attack, in Hagerstown, left Corderman with shrapnel wounds to his right hand and abdomen and partial hearing loss.
No one was ever charged in the bombing, according to a story by the outlet at the time of Corderman’s death in July 2013.
His son, Paul Corderman, is now Washington and Frederick counties state senator.
After Wilkinson’s fatal shooting, he wrote, “Our community has suffered an unimaginable tragedy. We have lost a dedicated public servant and champion for Washington County.”
“We send our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. We are praying over the judicial and law enforcement community during this most difficult time,” he said.