Manhunt underway for suspect accused of killing judge overseeing his divorce case

Julia Eisen – WMAL News | October 20, 2023

A manhunt is underway for a suspect in what police are calling the targeted fatal shooting of a Washington County Maryland Circuit Court Judge in Hagerstown last night.

Pedro Argote, 49, shot Andrew Wilkinson, 52, in the driveway of the judge’s home hours after Wilkinson awarded custody of Argote’s children to his wife during a divorce hearing.

Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert says that people should be on the lookout for the suspect.

“Argote is not in custody and is considered armed and dangerous,” Albert said in a press conference. Local, state and federal officials are all currently searching.

Argote does not have a criminal record but police have been in contact with the suspect and his wife previously.

“We have responded to the residents for verbal domestic assaults two times within the last few years,” Albert said.

Sheriff Albert says that detectives are still looking for more information to determine proper charges. It has been reported that Argote may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes with Maryland plates, according to Albert.

WMAL News Correspondent Heather Curtis contributed to this report.

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