Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson dies in fatal shooting: Updates

Hogan reacts to shooting death of Judge Wilkinson

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan posted on X, formerly Twitter, Friday morning about the death of Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson.

"This act of horrific violence not only takes away a respected community figure but also shakes the foundation of our justice system," Hogan said.

It was Hogan who appointed Wilkinson to the bench. He was sworn in on Jan. 10, 2020.

Man wanted in connection with judge's murder had divorce case before judge Thursday

The man wanted in connection with the shooting death of Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson was part of a divorce case that was the only matter before the judge Thursday, according to the day's court docket.

Wilkinson signed an order Thursday saying there was to be no visitation or contact between Pedro Argote — wanted in connection with Wilkinson's slaying Thursday night — and his children, according to the partial judgment in the divorce case. There also was to be no contact between Argote and the children's mother.

Wilkinson was shot later that night in a driveway in the 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road north of Hagerstown.

Updated story: Man wanted in shooting of Washington County judge had case in court Thursday.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is asking for help finding Argote, 49.

Argote may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, displaying Maryland registration plates 4EH0408, according to the sheriff's office.

The order Wilkinson signed Thursday refers to a 2009 Mercedes that Argote was to make available to his children's mother "upon reasonable request to attend to necessary shopping or medical or dental" appointments for her and the children.

The judgment also states the mother was to have "sole use and possession of the family home," property west of Hagerstown, and that Argote was not to enter that property.

Argote was to pay the mother child support of $1,120 a month for their four minor children, the judgment states.

Maryland Judiciary issues statement on Wilkinson's death

The Maryland Judiciary put out a statement Friday morning on the shooting death of Washington County Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson.

"The Maryland Judiciary mourns the tragic death of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. As we grieve his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and please respect their privacy. 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."

Sheriff's office releases name of man sought in connection with judge's murder

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the man suspected in the shooting death of a county circuit court judge Thursday night.

Pedro Argote, 49, is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, according to a Friday morning news release from the sheriff's office. He may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, displaying Maryland registration plates 4EH0408.

Police are searching for Argote in connection with the murder of county Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson, who was gunned down around 8 p.m. in a driveway in 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road north of Hagerstown.

Anyone with details on Argote's whereabouts is asked to not approach him but to immediately notify law enforcement, the release states.

A news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the Washington County Government Administration Building in Hagerstown.

Status of Washington County Circuit Court on Friday, protection for judges

As of around 7:40 a.m. Friday, no arrests had been made in the Thursday night killing of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson, according to Sgt. Carly Hose, spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office has the lead in the investigation.

Maryland State Police, for "precautionary reasons," deployed troopers Thursday night to protect judges residing in Washington County, according to the state police's media communications office.

The Washington County Courthouse will be open today, Friday, according to Circuit Court Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson. The case docket has been trimmed, with a few civil matters remaining. A three-judge panel case that Wilkinson was to chair has been postponed.

There is no jury duty today, which is not unusual for a Friday.

Washington County Sheriff's Office confirms Wilkinson was murdered judge

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the Washington County Circuit Court judge murdered Thursday night was Andrew "Drew" F. Wilkinson.

Deputies responded around 8 p.m. to the 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road north of Hagerstown for a reported shooting, according to a news release issued around 12:30 a.m. Friday from the sheriff's office.

Wilkinson, 52, was found in a residential driveway suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds, the release states. He was taken to Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown, where he was later pronounced dead.

Sgt. Carly Hose, spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said this is an active investigation and further details were not being released Friday morning.

Circuit Court Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson, in a phone interview earlier Thursday night, confirmed a circuit court judge had been attacked and was later pronounced dead.

Maryland State Police has been assisting the sheriff's office.

Wilkinson was a husband and father.

A news conference is anticipated on Friday.

Wilkinson was private attorney before judge

Wilkinson was sworn in as a circuit court judge on Jan. 10, 2020, after being appointed by then Gov. Larry Hogan.

A 1994 graduate of the University of North Carolina, he received his law degree in 1997 from Emory University School of Law and had experience in all levels of Maryland courts from district to the Court of Appeals. His legal experience included real estate, zoning and family law as well as civil litigation.

Background: Hogan names Wilkinson to Washington County Circuit Court bench

Before taking the bench, Wilkinson had a solo practice. Prior to that he worked in private practice with land-use attorney Jason Divelbiss.

Wilkinson served as an assistant county attorney under then-County Attorney John Martirano from 2006 to 2012.

After law school, Wilkinson became a law clerk at the local circuit court for Judge Frederick C. Wright III and Judges John H. McDowell, W. Kennedy Boone, and Donald E. Beachley.

Asked after his investiture ceremony about becoming a judge in his hometown, Wilkinson said, “It’s an honor and it’s humbling, and I’m happy to serve.”

Wilkinson said he wanted to become a judge to serve the community.

More: Wilkinson sworn in as Washington County Circuit Court judge

He was one of six current circuit court judges in Washington County.

A Washington County judge was injured by pipe bombs almost 34 years ago

This is not the first time a local circuit court judge has been attacked.

On Dec. 22, 1989, a package of pipe bombs exploded in Judge John P. Corderman’s third-floor apartment in Hagerstown, according to Herald-Mail archives.

Corderman sustained shrapnel wounds to his right hand and abdomen and partial hearing loss in the attack.

No one was ever charged in that bombing, according to a story at the time of Corderman’s death in July 2012. He was 70 years old.

Corderman's son, Paul, who is now a state senator representing Washington and Frederick counties, posted a message to law enforcement late Thursday on Facebook.

"Prayers for our local judicial & law enforcement community," he wrote.

At 3:15 p.m. Friday, Gov. Wes Moore released a statement about Wilkinson.

“I am shocked, heartbroken, and sickened by the killing of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. He was the victim of a cold-blooded, vicious, and targeted attack. My heart goes out to Judge Wilkinson’s family, and my prayers are with everyone who knew him, loved him, and served alongside him.

My team has been in close contact with the judiciary and with leadership in Hagerstown and Washington County, including local law enforcement and elected officials. Maryland State Police troopers were dispatched to protect other judges, and I am receiving consistent updates from Superintendent of State Police Roland Butler.

The State of Maryland is supporting law enforcement in their investigation and local, state, and federal partners are actively engaged in the search for the suspect. Anyone with knowledge that could aid in the investigation is encouraged to contact authorities immediately.

Judge Wilkinson spent his career in defense of justice. We must now ensure that the perpetrator of this vile act faces justice and Judge Wilkinson’s family gets the support they need and deserve.”

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland judge killed: Andrew Wilkinson fatally shot in driveway