Pedro Argote, father accused of fatally shooting a judge in his driveway with his wife and son inside, once praised a gun shop in a creepy 2021 Facebook post
The man accused of fatally shooting a Maryland judge in his driveway posted a chilling Facebook review praising a gun shop for providing “fun and dynamic” training and making him “confident” with a firearm.
Pedro Argote, 49, is wanted in an urgent multi-agency manhunt following the fatal shooting of Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, Thursday evening in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The father-of-four had lost custody of his children and was not allowed to see them or his wife at a hearing led by Wilkinson on the day of the shooting.
Investigators said Friday that he legally purchased the firearm used in the shooting.
In a Facebook post two years ago, Argote praised a gun shop in Maryland for making him feel comfortable with the trigger.
“(The store) has the knowledge and extensive experience with firearms to make everyone feel safe and comfortable the first time, better yet, you leave with peace of mind,” he wrote in an August post 2021.
‘Trainings are fun and very dynamic. Down-to-earth, uncomplicated customer service throughout the entire class, purchasing and fingerprinting experience.”
Pedro Argote, 49, was named by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as a suspect in the gruesome shooting
Alleged killer praised a gun shop for helping him feel ‘confident’ with a gun through ‘fun and dynamic’ firearms training
The father was deprived of custody of his four children on the same day the judge presiding over his case was shot dead
Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, of Maryland (pictured with his wife Stephanie during his swearing-in in 2020) was shot and killed outside his Maryland home Thursday evening.
The gun shop, United Gun Shop of Maryland, told DailyMail.com that they met Argote several years ago where they found him “respectful.”
“We are beyond shocked today, just like everyone else. As far as we knew, this is far out of character for Mr. Argote,” the store said in a statement.
“Given the nature of the active investigation, we feel it is most appropriate to respect the families and law enforcement as they actively work on the investigation and provide additional thoughts at a later date.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the judge’s family. As the research confirms details, we’ll be happy to provide additional comments and thoughts. Until the speculation is confirmed, we feel it is inappropriate to provide any other specific details or comments.”
As of Friday afternoon, Argote remained at large as a suspect in what police described as a “targeted attack.”
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.
Sheriff Albert said at a news conference Friday that Wilkinson’s wife and son were both in their Hagerstown home at the time of the shooting.
The judge was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, but later succumbed to his injuries.
Albert said police had been to Argote’s home twice in the past two years for “verbal domestic violence,” but that he had no prior criminal record in Washington County.
Wilkinson has served as a Washington County District Court judge since 2020 and was praised as a family man with a passion for his work as a Little League baseball and youth football coach.
Hours before the shooting occurred, Argote was also ordered to pay child support of $1,120 per month for the four children he shares with his wife, whom he was also banned from seeing.
In his judgment on Thursday, Wilkinson ruled that Argote’s wife will have ‘the exclusive use and possession of the family home’, and that he should not enter the property.
Argote was also ordered to pay child support of $1,120 per month for their four children.
Wilkinson, born in 1971 in Guam, served as an assistant district attorney in Washington County from 2006 to 2012 and has served as an associate circuit court judge in Washington County since 2020.
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 highlighted his work as a Little League baseball and youth football coach while being active in his local church.
“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.’
Maryland State Troopers were dispatched to the homes of other judges in the area and remained there until Friday morning, which Albert said was taken “out of an abundance of caution” and there is no known threat to Maryland judicial officials.
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., hours after ruling in a divorce case involving his alleged killer.
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 statement said.
“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.”
Tributes have been paid to the judge following his death, with US Senator Ben Cardin offering his condolences to family, friends and all those touched by his public service.
“No one should have to endure the pain of having a loved one taken away in such a way,” Cardin continued in a statement.
“There is no excuse for this kind of violence, especially against an officer of the court. The rule of law is what makes our society function. It may not be perfect, but individuals like Judge Wilkinson have worked every day to make it better and more just.
“His passion was clearly for serving the local community and therefore Judge Wilkinson will be sorely missed.”
Maryland Congressman David Trone said he was “shocked and heartbroken” by the killing, adding, “This violence is horrific to see in our community. Our thoughts are with his family during this unimaginable tragedy and with the police investigating this crime.”