A Maryland judge was shot to death in the driveway of his Hagerstown home Thursday, hours after presiding over the divorce hearing of the primary suspect in the case.

Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was found suffering from gunshot wounds at around 8 p.m. He succumbed to his wounds in the hospital, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The shooting was a targeted attack, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said at a press conference Friday.

Law enforcement is now searching for Pedro Argote, 49, whose divorce case Judge Wilkinson had presided over. Mr. Argote, who authorities described as a person of interest, was the plaintiff who brought the case to court, records show.

Mr. Argote legally owns a handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous, said the sheriff. 

Mr. Argote is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 130 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He drives a silver Mercedes GL450 SUV, with license plate number 4EH0408, according to the sheriff’s office.

“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,” the Maryland Judiciary said in a statement.

Before the shooting, Judge Wilkinson had granted a partial judgment of absolute divorce in the case, according to court records. 

Part of the judgment involved granting custody of Mr. Argote’s children to his former partner, Sheriff Albert explained at the press conference. Mr. Argote was not present at the hearing on Thursday.

Mr. Argote does not have a prior criminal record but deputies had responded to his residence twice in the past few years for verbal domestic abuse, Sheriff Albert said.

Law enforcement officers were temporarily posted at the residences of other circuit court judges Thursday night. But the sheriff’s office later determined there was not a threat against them. The protection has since been lifted.

While the sheriff’s office is leading the investigation, the Maryland State Police, Hagerstown Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service are assisting.

Judge Wilkinson was sworn in as a circuit court judge in January 2020.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.