Maryland Judge Fatally Shot Outside Home
A manhunt is under way to catch the “armed and dangerous” suspect wanted in connection to the murder of a Maryland judge.
Judge Andrew Wilkinson was found dead from gunshot wounds in the driveway of his home in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Thursday evening.
Law enforcement including US Marshals are now searching for Pedro Argote, 49, who is accused of targeting the judge in anger over a court ruling.
Hours before the shooting, the granted custody of Mr Argote’ four children to his ex-wife, Eugeina Argote, in a divorce hearing. Court records show he has a history of verbal domestic assaults against his wife and family.
Over the weekend, police confirmed that Mr Argote’s vehicle had been found in a wooded area in Williamsport – around eight miles from the crime scene.
Investigators have now warned he could be headed for New York, Florida, Indiana or North Carolina as he has ties to the various locations.
The US Marshals Service is now offering a reward of $10,000 for any information that could lead to his arrest.
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What happened to Judge Andrew Wilkinson?
Judge Andrew Wilkinson was fatally shot in the driveway of his home in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Thursday evening.
At around 8pm, police were called to the home to find him suffering gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to Meritus Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Wilkinson was born in Agana, Guam in 1971. His family moved around a lot during his childhood as part of the military, but settled in Hagerstown when his mother was hired as a law clerk for Judge Frederick Wright III in 1983.
He received a bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of North Carolina before earning his law degree from the Emory University School of Law in 1997.
Wilkinson became a circuit law clerk in Washington County before being sworn in as an associate judge for the County Circuit Court in 2020.
At his swearing-in, Wilkinson said he wanted to become a judge to serve the community, The Herald-Mail reported.
“It’s an honour and it’s humbling, and I’m happy to serve,” he said, thanking the now-retired judge, Mr Wright, for guiding his career.
Alongside his successful legal career, Wilkinson was a father and a husband; according to Fox 5, he was involved in the community, such as helping out at local Little League baseball and soccer games.
(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Rachel Sharp23 October 2023 13:45
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Rachel Sharp23 October 2023 13:41