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

[25 October 2023 12:00 · Kelly Rissman]

ICYMI: 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

24 October:

• The manhunt continues

[25 October 2023 13:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Chilling words from Eugenia Argote

USA Today obtained Ms Argote’s 2022 divorce petition, in which she claims that Pedro Argote, her then-husband, was emotionally abusive to her and that she was afraid to be near him.

“I have been trying to get out of this relationship for the longest time, but for the fear that he will try to get custody of the kids,” she wrote.

Her ex-husband had carried his firearm “at all times,” she continued. Mr Argote also didn’t allow her to use their car or have access to their shared finances.

“I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge,” she continued. “I don’t know what to do...Please I need help.”

The court granted her a temporary protective order against Mr Argote.

[25 October 2023 14:00 · Kelly Rissman]

“Armed and Dangerous”: The search for Mr Argote continues

Wanted sign for Pedro Argote (US Marshals Service)

[25 October 2023 15:30 · Kelly Rissman]

Chilling words from Judge Wilkinson long before his tragic death

The AP revealed details from court documents from the Argotes’ divorce hearings. Judge Wilkinson, who presided over the case, gave full custody of their four young children to Pedro Arugote’s ex-wife, Eugenia, after hearing moving testimony from Mr Argote’s adult daughter from a separate relationship.

“The manner in which Mr. Argote has isolated these children and mom over the past two years, I think that has gone on throughout the marriage, and it’s shocking,” the judge said. “I think he is abusive in multiple ways.”

Mr Argote was not in court on Thursday; hours later, Judge Wilkinson ended up dead with gun shot wounds in his driveway.

[25 October 2023 17:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Shocking testimony from Pedro Argote’s adult daughter

Judge Wilkinson reportedly gave Eugenia Argote full custody of the couple’s four younger children after hearing chilling testimony from Mr Argote’s adult daughter from a previous relationship.

The Associated Press obtained an audio recording of the testimony, in which the unnamed adult daughter said she spent most of her adolescence in her bedroom, as her father allegedly put cameras all over the house and was “watching my every move.”

She said he would beat her with a belt and other objects — “whatever he had close by.”

“The reason I worked up the courage to testify was so that my siblings wouldn’t have to go through the mental torment that I currently have,” she told the court. She added that she fled from home at 18 to escape the abuse; she hasn’t been in contact with her father since.

[25 October 2023 18:30 · Kelly Rissman]

ICYMI: How a respected Maryland judge ended up dead after making a key ruling in a divorce case

Police are accusing Pedro Argote, 49, of committing a “targeted attack” after allegedly shooting Judge Andrew Wilkinson hours after the judge awarded Mr Argote’s wife with full custody of the couple’s four children.

Police have called Mr Argote “armed and dangerous”. The US Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to his arrest.

Nearly a week after the shooting, Mr Argote is still at large.

Read the full story...

[25 October 2023 20:00 · Kelly Rissman]

The temporary restraining order

Pedro Argote filed for divorce in June 2022 after he learned that his wife Eugenia Argote was planning to leave him, the AP reported. This sparked some abusive behaviour toward his partner and their children, she claimed.

Days later, she requested a protective order, saying Mr Argote was carrying a gun and surveilling her.

Later that same month, she requested for the protective order to be dismissed, as the couple had agreed on a “nesting arrangement” where Mr Argote would live on the first floor of their shared home while she would live upstairs.

[25 October 2023 21:30 · Kelly Rissman]

Where is Pedro Argote?

The short answer is: no one seems to know.

He could be heading out of state, officials previously said. 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.

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.

[25 October 2023 23:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Funeral services for Judge Wilkinson, according to his obituary

Services will be held Friday, October 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the St. Ann Catholic Church, 1525 Oak Hill Avenue, Hagerstown, MD, with the Rev. Msgr. J. Bruce Jarboe officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown, MD, on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Private interment will be at the Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making memorial donations to any local law enforcement or EMT agencies as a thank you for their support to our community during this time.

[26 October 2023 01:00 · Kelly Rissman]

ICYMI: ‘Armed and dangerous’ suspect still at large

Pedro Argote is suspected of shooting the judge hours after he granted custody of his four children to his ex-wife, Eugeina Argote, in a divorce hearing earlier that day.

Since then, his car has been recovered in Maryland.

The US Marshals Service said in an update that Pedro Argote, 49, has connections to New York, in the Brooklyn and Long Island area.

Read the full story...