MD - Andrew F. Wilkinson, 52, state circuit court judge, shot and killed in home driveway, Pedro Argote, 49, suspect - Hagerstown, 19 Oct 2023

[ifindedout]

Manhunt on for gunman who allegedly killed Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson over divorce proceedings

The Washington County Sheriff's Office in Maryland has confirmed that Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was fatally shot on Thursday night.

abcnews.go.com

Maryland authorities are searching for a 49-year-old in connection with the fatal shooting of a judge Thursday night.

Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was found shot in a driveway in Hagerstown, Maryland, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said.

Maryland judge shot, killed outside Hagerstown home in targeted attack; manhunt for suspect underway

Articles and videos about Maryland judge shot, killed outside Hagerstown home in targeted attack; manhunt for suspect underway on FOX 29 Philadelphia.

www.fox29.com

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 49-year-old Pedro Argote in connection with the killing. Officials released Argote’s photo Friday. They describe him as 5-feet-7-inches-tall, 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Deputies say he may be operating a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with Maryland registration plates 4EH0408.

 

[Eli9]

Court records show that the Maryland judge who was shot to death outside his home presided over divorce case of the man now identified as person of interest in the killing.

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/news/nation-world/national/article280771340.html#storylink=cpy

 

[sds71]

Here’s the order Judge Wilkinson issued in Argote’s custody case yesterday:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715361297527706065

 

[housewife]

I saw that other county judges are receiving increased police protection since the murder. I'm concerned about the safety of the mother and children and hope they are also protected.

One car with four kids? Restricting movement and transportation is a controlling tactic. I hope the mom has her own vehicle and maybe I missed that info?

 

[ifindedout]

One car with four kids? Restricting movement and transportation is a controlling tactic. I hope the mom has her own vehicle and maybe I missed that info?

SBM
Looks like she does not have her own vehicle, and is dependent on his. This, to put it mildly, does not sound workable, and would actually put her in considerable danger.
JMO

 

[Eli9]

Looks like there was a domestic violence case last year but it was eventually dismissed by the petitioner.

https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/processDisclaimer.jis

 

[housewife]

Looks like there was a domestic violence case last year but it was eventually dismissed by the petitioner.

https://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/processDisclaimer.jis

Wow, this article has more details about the abuse and his controlling behavior. His wife documented everything in writing to the court. No wonder she had to drop the suit, she was forced to continue living with him.

Regarding Domestic Violence:
In the petition, Argote’s wife wrote that Argote was leaving her without any financial resources and controlling her movements because he kept the car keys in his possession at all times. “I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge,” she wrote. A list of the couple’s property shows that Argote owned a 9mm Glock handgun. His wife listed in the domestic violence petition that he owned at least two firearms.

Regarding Divorce:
Argote’s strategy in the divorce was odd. He filed for divorce from his wife but seemed to believe that they would continue living together for two more years in order to save money and prepare for the separation. Wilkinson addressed this unorthodox plan in an opinion issued in March.“It seems that Father entered the court process of divorce without recognizing that the court will not simply sit back and wait for two years while he figures out what he wants to do,” Wilkinson wrote.
The case also left the judge with “the uneasy sense that Father engages in absolute control over Mother, their finances, and their lives,” Wilkinson wrote. “This is not in the best interest of their children.”

Of course a controlling abuser would expect his divorce to play out the way HE wanted it.
IMHO This abuser will most likely be found while attempting to murder his wife/children wherever they are.

It makes me sad to hear she tried getting help from a DV shelter but it wasn't enough.

 

[vls12345]

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/us/maryland-judge-killing-investigation-andrew-wilkinson/index.html

"Argote did not attend the divorce hearing earlier Thursday at which Wilkinson granted child custody to Argote’s partner, Albert said."

 

[airportwoman]

It sounds like this guy worked at home, and I also get the impression that the mother home-schooling the children was not a mutual decision. (didn't want outsiders to know what he's like?)

I sure hope they find him before anyone else, and that includes the suspect himself, is harmed.

 

[Eli9]

I think I read somewhere, Daily Mail maybe, that Argote didn't even go to court

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/20/us/maryland-judge-killing-investigation-andrew-wilkinson/index.html

"Argote did not attend the divorce hearing earlier Thursday at which Wilkinson granted child custody to Argote’s partner, Albert said."

I read that earlier today but couldn't remember where. Thanks for bringing a link.

 

[Eli9]

It sounds like this guy worked at home, and I also get the impression that the mother home-schooling the children was not a mutual decision. (didn't want outsiders to know what he's like?)

I sure hope they find him before anyone else, and that includes the suspect himself, is harmed.

I also worry for his legal counsel and of course his ex wife and children. Anyone think he will self harm himself? I'm on the fence about that. I grieve for the wife and son of Mr. Wilkinson, who were home at the time of the murder. Ugh.

 

[airportwoman]

Does anyone else wonder if the ex-wife is a mail-order bride and wasn't aware of American customs?

 

[Marysmith]

This is so sad. I hope he is found soon. His ex-wife and children must be in hiding.

 

[Marysmith]

Does anyone else wonder if the ex-wife is a mail-order bride and wasn't aware of American customs?

That’s definitely a possibility.

 

[Chimera]

Dad who shot judge was controlling to estranged wife and daughter

Father-of-four Pedro Argote, 49, was physically and emotionally abusive, court documents allege. He is still at large following the fatal shooting of Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson on Thursday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The father suspected of fatally shooting a judge on his driveway after he lost custody of his kids 'was controlling towards his estranged wife and violent to his daughter.'

Pedro Argote, 49, is the subject of a massive manhunt following the murder of judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, in Hagerstown, Maryland on Thursday night.

Police have now offered a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to the father-of-four's capture.

He is suspected of shooting Wilkinson after loosing custody of his children and being banned from the family home by the judge, who was presiding over his case.
They need to find this guy asap !
I hope the wife and kids are in hiding.

My .02 is that the judge made the right decision.
Omo.

Rest in peace, Andrew !
My condolences to his family.

 

[LadyL]

catch this murderer
where is the wife and children? are they safe?

 

[housewife]

Does anyone else wonder if the ex-wife is a mail-order bride and wasn't aware of American customs?

Mail-order brides are stuck in marriages with a huge power imbalance.
I haven't seen anything yet to suggest this murderer was holding his wife's visa over her head.

 

[housewife]

With the reward money being offered, I'm hoping this dangerous fugitive is caught today.

IMHO although the judge's murder was deemed a "targeted attack", Argote will kill again if he faces more obstacles (her family/friends/police) as he tries to stalk her.

I'm worried about the safety of LE when they finally close in on him.

 

[arielilane]

Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson killed on his driveway by suspect involved in a divorce case, authorities say

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715729655590740388

Federal authorities are asking the public's assistance in the search for a man suspected of killing a Maryland judge in the driveway of his home Thursday night in a targeted attack.

The U.S. Marshals Service and local police have identified 49-year-old Pedro Argote as the suspect in the attack on Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, which happened hours after Argote lost custody of his children in a divorce proceeding Wilkinson presided over, according to Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert.

Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson killed on his driveway by suspect involved in a divorce case, authorities say

Washington County Circuit Court Associate Judge Andrew Wilkinson was apparently shot multiple times. A manhunt is underway for his killer.

www.cbsnews.com

OCTOBER 20, 2023 / 9:33 PM

Pedro Manuel Argote, 49, has been identified as a suspect in the killing of Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson.U.S. U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE

 

[arielilane]

Now: Police find SUV allegedly tied to the suspected killer of a Washington County, MD judge -- spotted in Williamsport, Md, not far from the Hagerstown crime scene. A press conference is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Story is developing.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1715799883125260544