HAGERSTOWN, MD – A dark cloud hangs over Hagerstown as the community reels from the shocking murder of Washington County Circuit Court Assistant Judge Andrew Wilkinson. On a grim Thursday evening, Wilkinson, a respected figure in the legal fraternity at 52, was found lifeless in his driveway, victims of fatal gunshot injuries.
In a swift response, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has marked Pedro Argote, 49, as the chief suspect in this heinous act. The office has also alerted the community about Argote’s vehicle: a sleek silver 2009 Mercedes GL450 bearing the Maryland plates 4EH0408. Residents have been advised to keep a safe distance if they encounter Argote and to swiftly alert the police.
A closer look at recent events unveils a possible motive. Judge Wilkinson had just presided over Argote’s divorce hearing the day before the incident. The case was set to resume hearings later this month.
Andrew Wilkinson, a devoted public servant since 2020, hailed from Guam and had a distinguished academic journey, with accolades from the University of North Carolina and the Emory University School of Law. As the community grapples with the loss, officers responded to a distress call around 8 p.m. on Thursday, pinpointing the scene of the crime to Wilkinson’s home.
With many questions still unanswered, the sheriff’s office is gearing up for a press briefing to shed more light on the ongoing investigations.