Maryland Judge Fatally Shot Outside Home
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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 judge granted custody of Mr Argote’s 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.
Key pointsManhunt under way for suspect Pedro Argote could be headed for New YorkJudge Andrew Wilkinson presided over Pedro Argote’s divorce hearingJudge shot dead in driveway of Maryland homeShow latest update
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Argote Children Support Fund
A GoFundMe page was created for Pedro Argote’s ex-wife and four children. It reads:
On October 19, 2023, Pedro Argote took the life of Judge Andrew Wilkinson after Judge Wilkson ordered there to be no contact between Argote and Ms. Argote and their 4 children due years of extreme abuse. Argote currently remains on the loose and Ms. Argote and her 4 children (12, 10, 5, 3) are displaced from their home until he is captured. They are unable to make or go out for meals, get clothing (they left the home with nothing) or attend to their needs.
The fund has already raised over $4,000.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 22:15
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Mr Argote is still at large
After the shooting that left Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson dead in his driveway on Thursday, a search for the suspect Pedro Argote continues days later.
Anyone with information on the location of Pedro Argote is urged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 240-313-2170 or the US Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2. The US Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that could lead to the 49-year-old father-of-four’s arrest.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 21:45
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A rise in attacks on judges
According to the AP, “Judges across the U.S. have been the target of threats and occasional violence in recent years. President Joe Biden last year signed a bill to give around-the-clock security protection to the families of Supreme Court justices after the leak of a draft court opinion overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion-rights decision, which prompted protests outside the homes of conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices.”
The National Center for State Courts reported that this incident marks the third targeted shooting of a state judge in the last three years.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 21:15
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A gun safety group grieves over judge’s death
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 20:45
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ICYMI: “A targeted attack”
The sheriff said that earlier in the day, Mr Wilkinson gave custody of Mr Argote’s children to his ex-partner, alluding that this may be why the judge was targeted.
However, the sheriff also said that Mr Argote was not in attendance at the court hearing.
Officials said they believe “this was a targeted attack of Judge Wilkinson.”
A manhunt for Mr Argote continues, as of Tuesday afternoon.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 20:15
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What we know about Pedro Argote
He is allegedly 5 foot 7 inches tall, 130 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.Police believe he could be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with the Maryland registration plate of 4EH0408.Officials described him as “armed and dangerous”.The suspect had a history of controlling and cruel behaviour towards his ex-wife, according to court documents.The couple also had a long history of domestic incidents and in 2012, his ex-wife claimed, adding that she had tried to get help from a domestic violence advocacy center.He is still at large, as of Monday afternoon.
(AP)
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 19:45
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Update in the case, from the US Marshals Service:
Law enforcement officials have located a vehicle believed to have been operated by Pedro Manuel Argote, 49, a man suspected of murdering a Maryland Circuit Court Judge.
According to information proed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the 2009 Mercedes GL 450 was located Oct. 21 at approximately 11 a.m. The SUV bearing Maryland registration 4EH0408, was found in a wooded area off Bottom Road in Williamsport, Maryland.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 19:04
1698170442Judge Wilkinson granted custody of Pedro Argote’s four children to his ex-wife, Eugeina Argote, in a divorce hearingHours later, Mr Argote is accused of shooting Judge WilkinsonWashington County Sheriff Brian Albert said in a press conference that the attack on the judge was “targeted” and accused Mr Argote of retaliating because of the rulingA homicide investigation was launchedPolice conclude search of Williamsport, Maryland area and offer a reward of up to $10,000 for information on Mr ArgoteThe US Marshals Service says the suspect could be headed out of the state to a place where he has connections, like New York, Florida, Indiana, or North Carolina
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 19:00
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The divorce petition from Eugenia Argote
USA Today obtained Ms Argote’s 2022 divorce petition, in which she claims that Pedro Argote, her then-husband, was emotionally abusive to her and that she was afraid to be near him.
“I have been trying to get out of this relationship for the longest time, but for the fear that he will try to get custody of the kids,” she wrote.
Her ex-husband had carried his firearm “at all times,” she continued. Mr Argote also didn’t allow her to use their car or have access to their shared finances.
“I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge,” she continued. “I don’t know what to do…Please I need help.”
The court granted her a temporary protective order against Mr Argote.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 18:30
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This is not the first time Hagerstown has seen one of its judges attacked.
On 22 December 1989, a pack of pipe bombs exploded in the third-floor apartment of Judge John Corderman, according to the Herald-Mail archives. The attack, in Hagerstown, left Corderman with shrapnel wounds to his right hand and abdomen and partial hearing loss.
No one was ever charged in the bombing, according to a story by the outlet at the time of Corderman’s death in July 2013.
His son, Paul Corderman, is now Washington and Frederick counties state senator.
Kelly Rissman24 October 2023 18:00
