The father who lost custody of his children and allegedly fatally shot the judge handling the case had previously gushed about guns and had a history of domestic violence against his wife, The Post can reveal.
Murder suspect Pedro Argote, 49, is being actively sought by local, county and state law enforcement in connection with the killing of Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, outside his home in Hagerstown, Maryland on Thursday.
“This was a targeted attack on Judge Wilkinson,” Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said at a press conference the following day.
Argote is considered armed and dangerous, according to authorities who have told the public not to approach him.
As the manhunt for the fugitive ramped up on Friday, a chilling Facebook post emerged in which Argote revealed he was taking shooting lessons a few months before he filed for divorce against his wife, Eugenia Argote, 44.
In August 2021, Argote left a written review for a Maryland gun shop on their Facebook page, describing their gun training sessions as “fun” and claiming they made even first-time gun users leave “feeling confident”.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office
“John and his team have the knowledge and extensive experience needed with firearms to make anyone feel safe and at ease the very first time around, even better, you’ll leave feeling confident, just ask those grandmas that have been stopping by!,” Argote wrote on the United Gun Store’s page.
“Trainings are fun and very dynamic. Down to earth, straight-forward customer service throughout the entire class, purchase and fingerprinting experience.
“Make sure you call United first and get all of your questions answered!”
A spokesperson for the United Gun Shop, told The Post Argote had started training with him about “5-6 years ago” and nothing seemed amiss about him and they are “beyond shocked” but the shooting.
Jim Lokay/X
Court filings show the Argote and his wife had a contentious relationship.
Argote filed for divorce in June of 2022, and Eugenia was granted a temporary protection order against him that same month. In her request, she wrote her husband was abusive and she was afraid of him.
“I have been trying to get out of this relationship for the longest time, but for the fear that he will try to get custody of the kids,” Eugenia wrote in the petition viewed by USA TODAY.
“I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge,” she wrote.
She had to intervene when he allegedly tried to become violent with their daughter in October 2020, according to the petition, also obtained by The Daily Record.
“I got in the middle and told him for him to get to her he needed to hit me or kill me,” she continued.
She called Ruth’s House, a partner violence center, in 2012, she wrote, but never got enough help to leave.
“I need help,” she added. “Physical violence is not the only kind of violence … I don’t know what to do.”
The arguments were becoming “too much” for the couple’s four children, aged 12, 11, 5 and 3, she added.
An inventory at the couple’s property shows Argote owned a 9mm Glock handgun. His wife listed in the domestic violence petition he owned at least two firearms.
Argote’s wife ultimately asked to dismiss her petition for the temporary protection order because the couple agreed on a separated living arrangement in the same house, court records show.
The case left the judge with “the uneasy sense that Father engages in absolute control over Mother, their finances, and their lives,” Wilkinson noted at the time.
“This is not in the best interest of their children.”
The sheriff’s office said deputies responded to a shooting at about 8pm near Hagerstown, about 75 miles west of Baltimore, on Thursday. Deputies found Wilkinson in his driveway with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital where he died.
Court records show Wilkinson presided over Argote’s divorce proceedings — which was the only case on the judge’s docket Thursday, hours before he was shot dead.
At the press conference, the sheriff confirmed the hearing took place — but said that Argote was not present in court.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is asking for public assistance in finding Argote, who remains at large.
Argote may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, displaying Maryland registration plates 4EH0408, according to the sheriff’s office.