Maryland authorities are intensifying their search for Pedro Argote, the main suspect in the shooting death of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, who was found dead in his Hagerstown driveway last Thursday evening. The alleged killer’s abandoned vehicle was discovered on Sunday morning, raising hopes of a possible breakthrough in the case.
The shooting is believed to be linked to the divorce case involving Wilkinson and Argote, who had recently lost a custody hearing. According to allegations made during a hearing just hours before the shooting, Argote had a history of abusive behavior, including incidents of child abuse and controlling behavior towards his estranged wife, Eugenia Argote. In the hearing, Eugenia described an incident where Argote stuffed a towel into the mouth of a crying baby. She also revealed that he had restricted her access to their finances and cut off her access to their shared vehicle.
Lawyers for Eugenia Argote further accused Pedro Argote of halting mortgage payments and testified that he had beaten his adult daughter from a previous relationship. They also claimed that he had installed surveillance cameras around their house and spied on her. The judge presiding over the case, Andrew Wilkinson, expressed shock at the extent of Argote’s abusive behavior, calling it “shocking” and describing him as “abusive in multiple ways.”
In addition to awarding custody to Eugenia Argote, Wilkinson also denied Pedro Argote visitation rights and ordered him to stay away from the children and the family home. The judge’s wife and son were present at their home when the shooting occurred. Wilkinson’s wife, Stephanie Wilkinson, released a statement expressing her grief and gratitude for the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
The search for Pedro Argote is ongoing, with the U.S. Marshals Service now involved and offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Argote’s abandoned vehicle was found in Williamsport, leading authorities to believe that he may still be in the area. He has ties to other states, including New York and Florida. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals are urging anyone with information about Argote’s whereabouts to come forward.
The funeral for Judge Andrew Wilkinson is scheduled for Friday at the Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church in Hagerstown. The community mourns the loss of a respected judge and expresses gratitude for the efforts of law enforcement in response to this tragic event.
