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

Maryland Judge Fatally Shot Outside Home

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.

Key points

• Manhunt under way for suspect
• Pedro Argote could be headed for New York
• Judge Andrew Wilkinson presided over Pedro Argote’s divorce hearing
• Judge shot dead in driveway of Maryland home
• US Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for leads into Mr Argote’s whereabouts

[24 October 2023 06:00 · Kelly Rissman]

ICYMI: “A targeted attack”

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.

Officials said they believe “this was a targeted attack of Judge Wilkinson.”

[24 October 2023 07:00 · Kelly Rissman]

What we know about Pedro Argote

• He is allegedly 5 foot 7 inches tall, 130 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.
• Police believe he could be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with the Maryland registration plate of 4EH0408.
• Officials described him as “armed and dangerous”.
• The suspect had a history of controlling and cruel behaviour towards his ex-wife, according to court documents.
• 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.
• He is still at large, as of Monday afternoon.

[24 October 2023 08:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Statement from the Maryland Judiciary on Judge Wilkinson

The Maryland Judiciary said it is mourning Wilkinson’s “tragic death.”

“As we grieve his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and please respect their privacy,” the system said in a statement Friday.

“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.”

[24 October 2023 09:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Where is Pedro Argote?

He could be heading out of state, officials say. The US Marshals Service added that he has ties to New York, Indiana, Florida, and North Carolina.

The US Marshals Service is now offering a reward of $10,000 for any information that could lead to the arrest of Mr Argote while Washington County Sheriff’s Office has said it has concluded its search operations around Williamsport.

“No further information indicates that Argote is still in the immediate area,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.

The sheriff’s office continues to investigate leads and gather information about the shooting, while authorities warn that Mr Argote should be considered armed and dangerous.

Read the full story...

[24 October 2023 10:00 · Kelly Rissman]

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.

[24 October 2023 11:00 · Kelly Rissman]

WATCH: Manhunt underway for Mr Argote continues

[24 October 2023 12:00 · Kelly Rissman]

A message from the US Marshal’s Service

[24 October 2023 13:00 · Kelly Rissman]

“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.

Read the full story...

[24 October 2023 14:00 · Kelly Rissman]

The timeline

19 October:

• Judge Wilkinson granted custody of Pedro Argote’s four children to his ex-wife, Eugeina Argote, in a divorce hearing
• Hours later, Mr Argote is accused of shooting Judge Wilkinson

20 October:

• Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said in a press conference that the attack on the judge was “targeted” and accused Mr Argote of retaliating because of the ruling
• A homicide investigation was launched

22 October:

• Police conclude search of Williamsport, Maryland area and offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information on Mr Argote

23 October:

• The US Marshals Service says the suspect could be headed out of the state to a place where he has connections, like New York, Florida, Indiana, or North Carolina
• The manhunt continues

[24 October 2023 14:30 · Kelly Rissman]

History of the suspect

Pedro Argote reportedly has a history of controlling behaviour toward his ex-wife.

“The Washington County Sheriff’s Office did respond to the home a couple times for verbal domestics, a couple times in the last few years, but no physical violence that we’re aware of and no criminal record,” Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert previously said.

Judge Andrew Wilkinson, who was fatally shot on Thursday, also granted a temporary order in June 2022 which required Mr Argote to leave the couple’s shared residence and surrender his firearms. However, the order was later dismissed at Ms Argote’s request, though it is unclear why.