In a shocking and targeted act of violence, a Maryland circuit court judge was gunned down outside his Hagerstown residence late Thursday, igniting a massive manhunt and casting a somber shadow over the judicial community.
Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson, 52, was reportedly shot around 8 p.m. on Olde Waterford Road, succumbing to his injuries soon after being rushed to a nearby hospital. The tragic incident unfolded hours after Judge Wilkinson issued a custody ruling unfavorable to the alleged shooter.
Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert, in a press briefing on Friday, identified the primary suspect as 49-year-old Pedro Argote. He is described as a 5-foot-7 individual, weighing approximately 130 lbs., with distinctive black hair and brown eyes. The suspect might be using a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, bearing Maryland license plate 4EH0408. The public has been urged to report any sightings but to exercise extreme caution as Argote is believed to be armed and potentially dangerous.
Compounding the intrigue, earlier that fateful day, Judge Wilkinson had overseen a divorce proceeding in which he granted full custody of four children to Argote's ex-wife, who also received the house. Argote was further directed to provide child support. Notably, Argote was absent during this hearing.
In the wake of the shooting, the community has grappled with a heightened sense of vulnerability, prompting authorities to position officers at the residences of local Washington County judges as a preemptive measure.
The gravity of this incident has reverberated through the state, with Maryland State Senator Paul Corderman expressing, "It's a tragedy. An attack on a public servant, particularly a judge, is just unimaginable and horrific."
Judge Wilkinson's tragic demise is the latest in a concerning trend of threats against judicial officials. According to the US Marshals Service, in 2022 alone, over 1,300 threats or potential threats were directed at federal court personnel. Previous incidents have seen judges or their families becoming victims, highlighting the risks public servants face.
The deceased judge, originally from Agana, Guam, had been with the Washington County Circuit Court since 2020. Those who knew him, both professionally and personally, speak of a man dedicated to his community and family. His former law partner, Jason Divelbiss, remembered him fondly, noting Wilkinson's unparalleled ability to bring stability in tumultuous situations, making him an esteemed attorney and judge.
Neil Parrott, a former delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates, underscored the magnitude of this loss, stating, "The events tonight are catastrophic for Washington County, for Maryland, and for our justice system."
Authorities continue their extensive search for Argote and urge anyone with pertinent information to reach out to the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 240-313-2100.
