Maryland judge shot and killed at Hagerstown home

By Emily Venezky and Ciara Wells

A Maryland Circuit Court judge died Thursday night after being found shot at his Washington County home. Authorities are now looking for a person of interest as they investigate his death.

Around 8 p.m., authorities responded to the 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road, where they found Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, of Hagerstown, with multiple gunshot wounds in the driveway of the home. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Maryland State Police told WTOP that troopers were also sent out Thursday night to protect other judges in Washington County for “precautionary reasons.”

Wilkinson had been an associate judge in the Washington County Circuit Court, 4th Judicial Circuit in Maryland since January 10, 2020, according to the Maryland Courts website.

Wilkinson was also a youth soccer coach and assistant baseball coach in Hagerstown, according to the Maryland government website. He has been a member of St. Ann Catholic Church since 1985.

The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the case is being investigated as a homicide and have named a person of interest. Officials are looking for Pedro Argote, 49. He could be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450 with Maryland license plates 4EH0408.

Court records show that Wilkinson presided over Argote’s divorce case.

Anyone who spots Argote are asked to call law enforcement authorities immediately.

Former State Delegate Neil Parrott recounted the “horrible news” in a statement posted on social media.

“Police are actively searching for the murderer,” Parrott said. “Please pray for our police and for Judge Wilkinson’s family at this time.”

More details will be released at a Friday morning press conference.

Anyone with information can contact the office at 240-313-4345.

As part of Maryland Matters’ content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Emily Venezky and Ciara Wells. Click here for the WTOP News website.