HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND: The murder of Judge Andrew Wilkinson has left the community of Hagerstown in shock and a person of interest in the case has been identified as Pedro Argote.
Hours before the Maryland judge was shot to death, Argote was kicked out of his home after he was stripped off his child visitation rights by the fatally shot jurist, reports New York Post.
Where is Pedro Argote?
The 49-year-old man, who is being sought in Wilkinson's homicide investigation, is currently on the loose, according to a news update by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
According to court records, Wilkinson oversaw the suspect's divorce proceedings on Thursday, October 19, hours before he was gunned down.
The 52-year-old jurist signed an order that prevented Argote from visiting or contacting his children, or their mother, as per the partial judgment in the divorce case.
The judgment barred Argote from entering the property and granted his ex-wife "sole use and possession of the family home."
The court document stated that the man was ordered to pay his ex-wife monthly child support of $1,120 for their four minor children.
Authorities urge the public to help locate Argote
Officials described Argote as a person with black hair and brown eyes, and five feet seven tall weighing 130 pounds. The suspect may be driving a silver Mercedes 2009 model with Maryland plates.
"Anyone with information in reference to Argote’s location is asked to not approach him but to immediately notify law enforcement," stated officials.
Additional details on the homicide investigation will be updated by the sheriff's office in a press conference at around 11.00 am.
For "precautionary reasons,", troopers were deployed by the Maryland State Police on Thursday night, October 19, as part of the protection of other judges residing in Washington County.
According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the judge was shot at around 8.00 pm outside his home in Hagerstown.
Authorities stated that Wilkinson was transported to Meritus Medical Center, where he was declared dead.
On Friday, October 20, the Maryland Judiciary issued a statement on the judge's murder.
"As we grieve his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and please respect their privacy," read the statement.
"The Maryland Judiciary is actively engaging with law enforcement to assist in resolving this matter and to ensure the safety of our judges, staff, and visitors, which remains our top priority," the statement added.
