The Maryland judge who was executed in cold blood in his driveway was “targeted” by a suspect just hours after handing custody of the man’s children to his ex-wife in a divorce case, officials said Friday. .
Pedro Argote, 49, is being actively sought by local, county and state authorities in connection with the homicide investigation of Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said at a conference press release on Friday.
The judge’s wife and son were also home at the time of the fatal shooting in Hagerstown, Albert said.
Argote, of Frederick, Maryland, is considered “armed and dangerous,” the sheriff warned as a large manhunt continued.
Court records indicate Wilkinson oversaw Argote’s divorce proceedings, which was the only case on the judge’s docket Thursday, hours before he was shot and killed.
At the news conference, the sheriff confirmed that the hearing took place, but said Argote was not present in court.
Court records indicate that Argote was the one who filed for divorce in June 2022.
Pedro Argote, 49, has been named a person of interest in the murder of a Maryland judge. Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Wilkinson signed an order saying there would be no visitation or contact between Argote and her four children, or her mother, Eugenia Argote, according to the partial ruling in the divorce case cited by The Herald-Mail.
The ruling also granted Argote’s ex-wife “exclusive use and possession of the family home” and prohibited her husband from entering the property.
Deputies had responded to Argote’s home twice for reports of verbal domestic assault in the past two years, Sheriff Albert said.
Argote has been ordered to pay his wife Eugenia support of $1,120 a month for their four minor children, according to the court document.
Argote ran a digital advertising business with his wife, but they went through financial problems during their divorce, according to court records obtained by The Maryland Daily Record.
During a court hearing a year ago, Argote’s wife testified that she and her husband had fought constantly, often over their divorce.
When Argote filed for divorce, his wife filed for a domestic violence protection order against him.
In the petition, the wife stated that Argote controlled her movements by keeping the keys to the family car in her possession at all times and that he left her without the means to support herself financially.
Andrew Wilkinson, a Washington County Circuit Judge in Maryland, was shot and killed outside his home Thursday night. Jim Lokay/X
“I can’t leave the house without him knowing,” she wrote.
Eugenia Argote once claimed in October 2022 that her husband was about to become violent with their daughter.
“I put myself in the middle and told her that to get to her she had to hit me or kill me,” he wrote.
She also noted that her husband owned at least two guns, including a 9mm Glock.
The woman said she tried to save enough money to get away from her husband, but she claimed Argote pocketed her savings.
Eugenia Argote was granted a temporary protective order, but later asked to dismiss her petition because she and her husband agreed to live separately.
In his opinion, Wilkinson wrote that he had “the uncomfortable feeling that Father [Pedro Argote] assumes absolute control over the Mother, their finances and their lives. “This is not what is best for your children.”
Argote is described as 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
He may be driving a 2009 silver Mercedes with Maryland plates.
“Anyone with information about Argote’s location is asked not to approach him, but to immediately notify authorities,” officials said.
Washington County Circuit Court Clerk Kevin Tucker (right) swears in Andrew F. Wilkinson as Circuit Court Judge on Jan. 10, 2020, as Wilkinson’s wife, Stephanie, holds a Bible. AP
The sheriff’s office will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. to offer additional details about the case.
Maryland State Police deployed officers Thursday night to protect other judges living in Washington County for “precautionary reasons.”
Wilkinson was shot outside his home in Hagerstown around 8 p.m.
The firearm used in the murder was purchased legally by the suspect, authorities said.
The judge was taken to Meritus Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Maryland’s judiciary issued a statement Friday addressing Wilkinson’s murder.
“As we mourn their loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and respect their privacy,” the letter said.
“The Maryland judiciary is actively working with authorities to help resolve this matter and ensure the safety of our judges, staff and visitors, which remains our top priority.”
Wilkinson had served as a Washington County Circuit Court judge since January 2020, after being appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, according to his online biography.
Born in Agana, Guam, Wilkinson graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1994 and earned his law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1997, after which he became a circuit court law clerk. in Washington County.
He spent the next two decades working in the private sector, including as a solo practitioner.
At his swearing-in ceremony, Wilkinson said he wanted to become a judge to serve the community.
“It’s an honor and a lesson in humility, and I’m happy to serve,” he said.
Neil Parrott, a former Republican delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates, praised Wilkinson as an “exceptional judge” and “a pillar in our community.”
The sheriff’s office has not yet reported any arrests.7News
“Tonight’s events are catastrophic for Washington County, for Maryland, and for our justice system,” Parrott said in a statement to CNN Thursday night.
“Judge Wilkinson served faithfully and will be greatly missed.”
Wilkinson’s former law partner, Jason Divelbiss, described the 52-year-old jurist, who was a husband and father, as “an exceptional lawyer” and a loving family man.
“His wife and children were always his top priority and my thoughts are with them at this horrible time,” Divelbiss added.
“Drew was also very close with his brother and the office was always filled with laughter when he stopped by,” the law partner continued.
“One of Drew’s greatest assets was his ability to bring stability to the most difficult situations, which made him a great lawyer, mediator and, ultimately, judge.”
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