Missing Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Maryland Judge: Public Urged to Remain Vigilant
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Law enforcement authorities have discovered the vehicle used by the suspect involved in the tragic killing of a Maryland judge, but are urging the public to exercise caution as the search for the perpetrator continues.
Pedro Argote, 49, is believed to be responsible for the shooting of the judge in his driveway, which occurred just hours after the judge ruled against him in a divorce case. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on Facebook, informing the public that they have located the silver Mercedes SUV, believed to be driven by Argote, in a wooded area in Williamsport, approximately 8 miles southwest of Hagerstown where the shooting took place.
The sheriff’s office stated, “Anyone with information on Argote’s location should immediately notify law enforcement.”
Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was shot on Thursday evening shortly after he granted custody of Argote’s children to his wife. Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert described the incident as a “targeted attack.”
During a news conference held on Saturday, Albert revealed that local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are collaborating in the search for Argote. “We’re going to catch this guy, it’s just a matter of time,” he assured the public.
In an effort to expedite the arrest of Argote, the U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information leading to his capture.
According to a news release issued by the Marshals Service on Friday, Argote has connections to various locations outside of Maryland, including Brooklyn and Long Island, New York; Tampa and Clearwater, Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and unidentified cities in North Carolina.
Sheriff Albert emphasized that Argote should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
Judge Wilkinson presided over Argote’s divorce proceeding earlier on Thursday, although Argote was not present during the hearing. The judge subsequently granted custody of the children to Argote’s wife, serving as the apparent motive behind the fatal shooting. The judge had also issued an order prohibiting Argote from contacting the children and mandated a monthly child support payment of $1,120.
Hagerstown, a city with a population of nearly 44,000, is located approximately 75 miles northwest of Baltimore.
The safety of judges has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, as threats and acts of violence against them have become more prevalent. In response, President Joe Biden signed a bill last year to provide around-the-clock security protection for the families of Supreme Court justices following the leak of a draft court opinion that overturned the Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision.
Disturbingly, in June 2022, a retired Wisconsin county circuit judge named John Roemer was killed in his home in what authorities believe was a targeted attack. That same month, a man was apprehended near Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s residence in Maryland, armed with a gun, a knife, and zip ties, after making threats against Kavanaugh’s life.
In a separate incident in 2020, a men’s rights lawyer, known for his anti-feminist writings, disguised himself as a FedEx delivery person and fatally shot the 20-year-old son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, while her husband sustained injuries. Fortunately, Judge Salas was unharmed.
More recently, in August, a Texas woman was charged with threatening to kill U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the Washington case involving accusations against Donald Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss.
As the search for Pedro Argote intensifies, authorities are relying on the public’s cooperation and assistance in bringing him to justice. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.