Prominent Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson Fatally Shot in Front of His Residence

Maryland police are searching for a suspect in the fatal shooting of a judge outside his home. The victim has been identified as Judge Andrew Wilkinson, an associate judge for Washington County Circuit Court. Authorities are looking for 49-year-old Pedro Argote as part of their homicide investigation. The motive behind the killing remains unknown. The Washington County Sheriff's office is expected to provide more information during a press conference on Friday. Deputies discovered Judge Wilkinson injured and bleeding from gunshot wounds in his driveway after responding to reports of a shooting. According to state legislator Neil Parrott, the judge appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The police have urged the public to avoid approaching the suspect and instead immediately inform law enforcement. Maryland court records indicate that Judge Wilkinson had been presiding over a divorce case involving an individual named Pedro Argote, and a hearing in the case took place on Thursday morning. Judge Wilkinson, who became a judge in 2020 after a long career as a lawyer, was also involved in his church and coached youth sports.