Pedro Argote, the man who was wanted by the police for the murder of Judge Andrew Wilkinson who presided over his divorce and child custody battle with his estranged wife, has been found dead.
Police announced on October 20 that they were searching for 49-year-old Pedro Argote in connection to one of Maryland’s top court judges.
He has been accused of murdering Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson by shooting him in a residential driveway on October 19, 2023.
Before he allegedly killed Wilkinson, he was a judge in his divorce and child custody battle with his estranged wife.
Here’s everything we know about the accused murderer.
Who is suspect Pedro Argote?
Pedro Argote is a 49-year-old man and a father of four who has been accused of murder in connection to the death of Maryland’s top judge, Andrew Wilkinson.
On October 20, police launched a manhunt for him after the judge signed an order that said there was to be no visitation or contact between the suspect and his children, according to Herald-Mail Media.
Argote is said to be going through a divorce, but details on the case are unclear.
Per authorities, Argote is driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450 with Maryland registration plates that read 4EH0408.
He is described as being 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, according to CNN.
Police said that the public should “not approach him but to immediately notify law enforcement.”
Police stated that Argote has no prior criminal record and had not been present in court during his divorce hearing on Thursday.
In a 2021 Facebook post, the accused killer bragged about taking shooting lessons in a review posted on the United Gun Shop Facebook page.
“John and his team have the knowledge and extensive experience needed with firearms to make anyone feel safe and at ease the very first time around, even better, you’ll leave feeling confident, just ask those grandmas that have been stopping by!” wrote Argote.
“Trainings are fun and very dynamic. Down to earth, straightforward customer service throughout the entire class, purchase, and fingerprinting experience.
“Make sure you call United first and get all of your questions answered!”
When reached by phone, a man who identified himself as “Jonathan” refused to discuss how well he knew Argote or whether he was a regular at the store.
He said he’d been alerted to the deadly shooting of Wilkinson only moments earlier and didn’t feel comfortable speaking until he knew more about the case.
“Someone sent me a message this morning but I don’t know the details,” he said.
“Until there’s more details and that sort of stuff I’m just a little uncomfortable speaking.
“I think that it’s so early we need a little more details to figure out what in the world we’ve got going on here.”
Who is Pedro Argote’s wife?
Pedro Argote was married to his wife and the couple lived together for years.
However, recent years showed the couple, who once lived a happy life, now having a tumultuous marriage.
Per authorities, deputies had responded to the Argote and his spouse’s home two times within the last “few years” for verbal domestic assaults.
Before Pedro was accused of murder, he was in a legal battle with his estranged spouse and Pedro was a judge in his case.
In an order signed after the hearing, Wilkinson ruled that Argote was to make a 2009 Mercedes available to his children’s mother “upon reasonable request to attend to necessary shopping or medical or dental” appointments for her and the children, records show.
The judgment also states the mother was to have “sole use and possession of the family home” and that Argote was not to enter that property.
During Friday’s press conference, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said that investigators believe the shooting was motivated by the outcome of his divorce.
How many children does Pedro Argote have?
Pedro Argote is a father and per his custody battle with his estranged wife, everything shows he was a proud dad.
He has four minor children; including sons and daughters.
At the moment, the names and ages of his kids are undisclosed.
Argote had lost custody of his children in a contentious divorce case before a Washington County judge.
Argote was also to pay the mother child support of $1,120 a month for their four minor children, the judgment states.
What did Pedro Argote do to Judge Andrew Wilkinson?
On October 19, Maryland police responded to a shooting north of Hagerstown around 8 p.m.
Upon arrival, they found Judge Andrew Wilkinson. He had been shot multiple times, according to USA Today.
Wilkinson was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment but later died.
At the time, the Emory University School of Law alum had been served as an associate judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit Court, a position he began in January 2020.
“Drew was an exceptional lawyer and a man who loved his family,” his former law partner Jason Divelbiss said in a statement, via CNN.
“His wife and kids were always his highest priority and my thoughts go out to them at this horrible time. Drew was also very close with his brother and the office always filled with laughter when he dropped by,” Divelbiss continued.
“One of Drew’s greatest assets was his ability to bring stability to the most difficult situations which is what made him a great attorney, mediator, and eventually judge.”
Washington County Sheriff Brian K. Albert said in a press release: “The victim, an adult male, was located in the driveway of a residence.
“The victim was suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was transported to Meritus Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”
Local politician Neil Parrott mourned the loss of the judge and said it was “horrible news”.
He said on social media that the police were searching for the suspect.
He added: “Please pray for our police that they catch this criminal quickly and stay safe in the process, and for Judge Wilkinson’s family at this time.”
Video footage has been released showing the flashing lights of cop cars and haunting crime scene tape around the judge’s property.
Maryland State Troopers were sent to other judges’ houses to protect them over fears this could set off a potential chain of violence according to ABC affiliate WJLA.
No other injuries to court officers have been reported.
Earlier in the day, Washington County Sheriff’s Sergeant Carly Host said the agency was investigating a shooting but she didn’t offer further details on the crime.
Maryland Police have since said the investigation is ongoing and more details will be released soon.
According to local media, the alleged murderer was unhappy at a ruling made at the Maryland courthouse by Wilkinson earlier that week but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Where is Pedro Argote now?
Pedro Argote has been confirmed dead, per TheSun.
The body of Argote, 49, was uncovered in a heavily wooded area in Williamsport, Maryland, about 32 miles west of Frederick, on Thursday at around 11 a.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Argote’s body was found approximately one mile northwest of where his silver Mercedes SUV was found on Saturday afternoon.