Maryland cops hunt for Pedro Argote, 49, after judge was gunned down in his driveway – hours after custody battle ruling

The man suspected of fatally shooting Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson has been named as police launch an urgent manhunt.

Pedro Argote, 49, allegedly shot the 52-year-old associate circuit judge in the driveway of his Western Maryland home Thursday evening around 8 p.m.

Argote remains at large and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office warned the public not to approach him and to contact them if they have any information about his whereabouts.

He is described as 6 feet tall, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with Maryland license plates 4EH0408.

Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com shows that Argote had a divorce hearing held by Wilkinson earlier on the day of the shooting.

Pedro Argote, 49, was named by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as a suspect in the gruesome shooting

Judge Andrew Wilkinson (pictured), 52, of Maryland, was killed in an apparent shooting at his home on Thursday evening

Wilkinson has been a Washington County District Court judge since 2020. He is depicted taking the oath of office with his wife Stephanie.

Wilkinson was found in the driveway of his home in the town of Hagerstown, Maryland, and was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead.

A motive for the shooting has not yet been officially confirmed.

“We are a six-judge courthouse,” Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson, a colleague, told the New York Times. ‘We all know each other very well.’

He was born in Guam in 1971 and served as assistant attorney general in Washington County from 2006 to 2012.

He also served on the Character Committee of the State Board of Law Examiners from 2006 to 2019.

His profile on the court’s website also highlighted his work as a Little League baseball and youth football coach while being active in his local church.

According to 7News, Maryland State Troopers are being dispatched to protect other judges.

Police released this image of a vehicle Argote may have been driving, described as a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with Maryland license plates 4EH0408

Wilkinson was shot in the driveway outside his home in Hagerstown, Washington, around 8 p.m. Thursday

The sheriff’s office has not released any further details about Wilkinson’s murder

Wilkinson was hospitalized but later pronounced dead, the county sheriff’s office said

In a statement after the shooting, the Maryland Judiciary said Wilkinson’s death was a “tragic loss.”

“As we mourn his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and respect their privacy.

“The Maryland Judiciary is actively engaged with law enforcement to assist in resolving this matter and ensuring the safety of our judges, staff and visitors, which remains our top priority.”