Manhunt for suspect accused of gunning down Maryland judge continues; $10,000 reward offered
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The manhunt for a suspected gunman who authorities say shot and killed a Maryland judge continues Monday after they completed their search of an area where his SUV was found over the weekend.
Police identified Pedro Argote, 49, as the man suspected of gunning down Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson in the driveway of his home on Olde Waterford Road in Hagerstown Thursday night.
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Abandoned vehicle found as manhunt continues for suspected gunman in Hagerstown judge's fatal shooting
The Washington County Sheriff's Office have located the vehicle belonging to the man suspected of fatally shooting a Hagerstown judge this week. The whereabouts of the suspected gunman still remain unknown.
Wilkinson had presided over a divorce proceeding involving Argote earlier in the day, but Argote was not present for that hearing, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said at a press conference after the shooting. The judge gave custody of Argote's children to his wife at the hearing, and that was the motive for the killing, the sheriff said. Albert said the killing was a "targeted attack."
The Washington County Sheriff's Office said Saturday that the silver Mercedes SUV that Argote was believed to be driving was found in a wooded area in Williamsport, about eight miles from the judge's home where the attack happened.
On Sunday, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that authorities have concluded their search of the Williamsport area.
"The Washington County Sheriff's Office has concluded search operations in the Williamsport area. No further information indicates that Argote is still in the immediate area," read the post.
The U.S. Marshals Service said Argote has ties to multiple areas outside of Maryland, including Brooklyn and Long Island, New York; Tampa and Clearwater, Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and North Carolina. They are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Argote's arrest.
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Argote's photo was released Friday. He is described as 5-feet-7-inches-tall, 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact authorities at 240-313-2100.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
49-year-old Pedro Argote is wanted in connection with the killing Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.