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Maryland judge shot and killed at Hagerstown home

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.

Judge Andrew Wilkinson
Judge Andrew Wilkinson was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the driveway of his Hagerstown home. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. (Courtesy Washington County Bar Association)

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 ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp 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,

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

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a that the case is being investigated as a homicide and have named a person of interest. Officials are looking for Pedro Argote, 49, described as a man with black hair and brown eyes. 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 .

“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.

A map with the approximate location of the shooting is below.

This story is developing. Stay with ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp for the latest. 

Emily Venezky

Emily Venezky is a digital writer/editor at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp. Emily grew up listening to and reading local news in Los Angeles, and she’s excited to cover stories in her chosen home of the DMV. She recently graduated from The George Washington University, where she studied political science and journalism.

Ciara Wells

Ciara Wells is the Evening Digital Editor at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp. She is a graduate of American University where she studied journalism and Spanish. Before joining ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp, she was the opinion team editor at a student publication and a content specialist at an HBCU in Detroit.

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