Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson killed outside his house in targeted attack linked to divorce case
Maryland Circuit Court Associate Judge Andrew Wilkinson was shot and killed outside his home on Thursday. According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the shooting occurred around 8 p.m.
with Judge Wilkinson succumbing to multiple gunshot wounds after being rushed to the hospital.
Authorities believe this was a targeted attack on Judge Wilkinson, with Sheriff Brian Albert confirming that it was related to a divorce case heard in the judge's court earlier that day. The suspect in question, 49-year-old Pedro Argote, had been scheduled to attend a divorce hearing before Judge Wilkinson but failed to appear.
Maryland State troopers were deployed to provide protection for the homes of Washington County judges overnight.
However, the sheriff clarified that they do not anticipate any further threat at this time.
Although Argote had been involved in «domestic calls» leading to police visits at his home in Washington County in the past, he does not have a known police record. The sheriff emphasized that Argote legally owns a firearm, cautioning the public to consider him armed and dangerous.
U.S.
Representative David Trone, whose district includes Hagerstown, expressed his shock at the violence witnessed in their community, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
«Shocked and heartbroken to hear that Judge Andrew Wilkinson was murdered last night at his home in Hagerstown. This violence is horrifying to see in our community.
