Suspect in Maryland judge killing found dead after weeklong manhunt: Updates
Judge Andrew Wilkinson made a key ruling in suspect Pedro Argote’s divorce hearing just hours before he was shot dead in his driveway in Hagerstown, Maryland
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Authorities in Maryland have found the body of a man suspected of killing a judge who revoked custody of his children.
Judge Andrew Wilkinson was found dead from gunshot wounds in the driveway of his home in Hagerstown, Maryland, on 19 October.
Law enforcement including US Marshals launched a massive manhunt for 49-year-old Pedro Argote after accusing him of targeting the judge in anger over a court ruling. The Marshals had offered a reward of $10,000 for any information that led to his arrest.
Officials announced on Thursday that Argote had been found deceased during a search in a heavily wooded area in Williamsport, just a mile from the place where his car was found last week.
A cause of death has not been provided.
Hours before Argote is believed to have shot Wilkinson, the judge granted custody of Mr Argote’s four children to his ex-wife, Eugeina Argote, in a divorce hearing after hearing “shocking” testimony from his adult daughter from a separate relationship.
Court records show he has a history of verbal domestic assaults against his wife and family.
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez offers condolences for the judge
“It’s just a matter of time”: the search for the suspect continues
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.
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A judge made a key ruling in a couple’s divorce. He was shot 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
“Armed and dangerous”
A wanted poster for Pedro Argote featured a reward of up to $10,000. He is still at large as the manhunt enters its fifth day.
The background of the case
A manhunt is underway for Pedro Argote, Ms Argote’s ex-husband and the main suspect in the shooting. Police warned the public that the 49-year-old is considered armed and dangerous.
Judge Wilkinson had presided over the divorce case since June 2022.
Ms Argote had petitioned the court for a protective order, writing that her husband was extremely controlling. He kept her car keys at all times so he knew when she was leaving home and stole money from her, The Maryland Daily Record reported.
Ms Argote said her ex-husband harassed her via text messages and used security cameras to monitor her, NBC News reported. She also accused him of being violent with their 11-year-old child in 2020.
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Man accused of shooting divorce judge was ‘controlling’ over ex-wife
Police in Maryland looking for Pedro Argote who is on the run, and considered armed and dangerous
This isn’t a first for Hagerstown
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.
A message from the US Marshals Service
Law enforcement officials believe Argote is possibly operating a silver 2009 Mercedes GL 450 bearing Maryland registration 4EH0408.
Argote has ties to multiple locations beyond the state of Maryland to include Brooklyn and Long Island, New York; Tampa and Clearwater, Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and unknown cities in North Carolina.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to Argote’s arrest. Argote should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 or submit tips via the USMS Tips App.
ICYMI: the ties between the suspected shooter and the judge
Investigators named Pedro Argote, 49, as a suspect in the killing, with court records showing he had his divorce court case presided over Mr Wilkinson the same day.
Mr Argote is not in custody and is currently considered armed and dangerous, Sheriff Brian Albert said at a press conference on Friday.
He confirmed that police believe “this was a targeted attack of Judge Wilkinson.”
The sheriff said that earlier in the day, Mr Wilkinson gave custody of Mr Argote’s children to his ex-partner, alluding that this may be why the judge was targeted. However, the sheriff also said that Mr Argote was not in attendance at the court hearing.
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Slain Maryland judge’s ties to suspect in horror shooting revealed
Court records show jurist presided over the divorce case of alleged killer
The Federal Bar Association’s statement on Judge Wilkinson
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