Vehicle Located but Suspect Remains At Large in the Killing of Maryland Judge

The car believed to be used by the suspect in the killing of a judge in Maryland has been recovered. However, authorities have urged the public to maintain heightened awareness as the search for the suspect continues.

Pedro Argote, 49, is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, which took place in his driveway mere hours after he delivered a judgment unfavorable to Argote in a divorce case. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office disclosed in a Facebook announcement that the silver Mercedes SUV, suspected to have been used by Argote, was found in Williamsport. This location is approximately 8 miles (or 13 kilometers) southwest of Hagerstown, where the judge was fatally shot outside his residence. A press conference was scheduled by the sheriff’s office for late Saturday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office has called on anyone with information regarding Argote’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement without delay.

After presiding over a divorce case involving Argote and his wife, Judge Wilkinson was shot on Thursday evening. The judge had awarded custody of Argote’s children to his wife and had ordered Argote to pay a monthly child support of $1,120, while also prohibiting him from contacting the children. Sheriff Brian Albert stated that the attack was premeditated.

The U.S. Marshals Service has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the capture of Argote. According to a news release disseminated late on Friday, Argote is known to have connections in multiple locations outside Maryland, such as Brooklyn and Long Island in New York; Tampa and Clearwater in Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and unidentified cities in North Carolina. Sheriff Albert has cautioned that Argote should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

This tragic incident highlights the broader issue of threats and occasional acts of violence against judges across the United States. Last year, President Joe Biden signed legislation to provide 24/7 security protection for the families of Supreme Court justices in light of rising threats. In June 2022, John Roemer, a retired Wisconsin county circuit judge, was murdered in his home in a targeted attack. Other incidents have included threats and attempted acts of violence against various members of the judiciary, underscoring the vulnerability and risks associated with the profession.

Hagerstown, where the incident occurred, is a city with a population of nearly 44,000 and is situated approximately 75 miles (or 120 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fatal shooting of Maryland Judge

More about fatal shooting of Maryland Judge

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office Statement
• U.S. Marshals Service Reward Announcement
• Recent Trends in Attacks on U.S. Judges
• President Biden’s Legislation on Judicial Security
• Hagerstown City Demographics
• Report on Judicial Threats and Violence