HAGERSTOWN, Md. — As police continue to search for the man who shot a Maryland Circuit Court judge to death, 52-year-old Judge Andrew Wilkinson will be laid to rest on Friday, October 27.
Wilkinson was found lying in his driveway with gunshot wounds on October 19. He was rushed to Meritus Medical Center for treatment, where he later died from his injuries. Police say the judge's wife and son were at home when he was shot to death.
A funeral for the judge will be held on Friday at the Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church, according to a statement from Stephanie Wilkinson on behalf of the judge's family.
“My family and I are touched by the overwhelming response from family, friends, co-workers, local and state politicians, and Governor Moore. We are grateful for their prayers, thoughts, and love during this tragic time," the statement reads. "This is such an unexpected loss to us, and words do not exist to describe the amazing person Drew was."
The sheriff's office has been looking for Pedro Argote, 49, since the shooting happened. They say Argote gunned down Judge Andrew Wilkinson after a court hearing earlier that day where Argote lost custody of his kids in Wilkinson's courtroom, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said. Albert said it was a “targeted attack.”
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During the hearing, Wilkinson concluded that Argote wasn’t fit to have custody of his four younger children, ages 12, 11, 5 and 3.
“The manner in which Mr. Argote has isolated these children and mom over the past two years, I think that has gone on throughout the marriage, and it’s shocking,” the judge said. “I think he is abusive in multiple ways.”
According to the sheriff's office, Argote does not have a criminal record in Washington County, however, deputies have responded to his home in the past for verbal domestic assaults. The sheriff's office said at the time of the shooting, Argote legally owned a handgun.
Albert said Friday Argot should be considered armed and dangerous and might be driving a silver Mercedes, which was found abandoned in a wooded area off Bottom Road in Williamsport, Maryland.
The judge ruled out visitation rights Thursday and barred Argote from contacting his children or visiting the family’s house.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Argote's arrest. Anyone with information should contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 or submit tips at https://www.p3tips.com/USMS.aspx.
People with time-sensitive information can also contact Deputy U.S. Marshal Maresca directly at (202) 819-5058.
Funeral services for Wilkinson will begin at 10 a.m.
"Our family would especially like to thank local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for their immediate and continued response to this tragedy," Stephanie Wilkinson said. "Drew would be very grateful for all of your efforts for both us and the community.”