Manhunt Ends as Suspect in Shooting of Maryland Judge Found Dead
By Pierre Herubel
A weeklong manhunt has come to a close with the discovery of the body of Pedro Argote, the man accused of fatally shooting Judge Andrew Wilkinson in the driveway of his Maryland home. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that Argote was found dead in a heavily wooded area, positively identified as the suspect.
Argote had been on the run since the shooting on October 19. Earlier that day, Judge Wilkinson ruled against Argote in a child custody dispute involving his estranged wife. The ruling granted custody of their four children to Wilkinson’s wife and prohibited Argote from contacting or visiting them.
The search for Argote led investigators to Williamsport, where his body was found approximately a mile northwest of where his vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz SUV, was discovered on Saturday. The U.S. Marshals Service had offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Sheriff Brian Albert expressed confidence that they had found the right person, stating, “We’re pretty sure that, you know, obviously we got our guy.” He also mentioned that the Washington County community could now breathe a little easier with the conclusion of the manhunt.
While an autopsy is yet to be performed, no comments will be made regarding the cause or time of Argote’s death until the results are available. The Sheriff’s Office revealed that Judge Wilkinson’s family was relieved to learn of the discovery, although they still mourn the loss of their loved one.
The shooting occurred during the ongoing divorce case between Argote and Wilkinson, which began in June 2022. Wilkinson had granted custody of the children to his estranged wife and imposed financial obligations on Argote.
Court records indicate that Argote’s wife had previously filed a domestic violence petition against him in June 2022, but it was dismissed after less than two weeks. Sheriff Albert stated last week that he believed the shooting was a direct response to the judge’s child custody decision.
In light of this tragic incident, the police department has increased security measures throughout the community to protect judges. However, no specific details were provided regarding the nature of these additional security measures.
Judge Wilkinson’s killing adds to the growing list of high-profile attacks and threats against members of the judiciary and their families. Similar incidents have taken place in recent years, such as the 2022 shooting of a retired Wisconsin judge and the 2020 attack on a federal judge’s family in New Jersey.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore condemned the shooting, describing it as “cold-blooded” and “vicious.” He expressed his condolences to Judge Wilkinson’s family and extended his prayers to those who knew and worked with the judge.
The conclusion of this manhunt brings some closure to the Washington County community, but the loss of Judge Wilkinson serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those in the legal system. Investigations will continue to determine the circumstances surrounding Argote’s death and the motives behind the shooting.
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