Tragic shooting claims life of Maryland Judge in Hagerstown

In a shocking incident on Thursday night, Associate Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, a respected member of the judiciary in Hagerstown, Maryland, lost his life in a fatal shooting that occurred on the driveway of his residence.

According to authorities from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Judge Wilkinson was subsequently transported to Meritus Medical Center, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

The victim, 52-year-old Judge Wilkinson, was a prominent figure within the Washington County Circuit Court and a dedicated member of the local legal community. CBS Baltimore reported that a thorough homicide investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

Law enforcement officials have identified a person of interest in the case as 49-year-old Pedro Argote, according to the Associated Press. Court records indicate that Wilkinson had previously presided over Argote’s divorce case, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.

In response to this shocking event, Maryland State police deployed troopers to ensure the safety of judges residing in Washington County as a precautionary measure.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the community and elicited a response from State Delegate Neil Parrott (R-MD), who took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to report that Judge Wilkinson had been shot multiple times.

Judge Andrew Wilkinson had been serving the community as a member of the 4th Judicial Circuit since January 2020, as per information available on the Maryland Government website. His commitment to public service was evident when, at his swearing-in, he expressed his desire to serve the community, as reported by The Herald-Mail. “It’s an honor and it’s humbling, and I’m happy to serve,” he remarked.

Born in Agana, Guam, in 1971, Wilkinson pursued his education at the University of North Carolina before obtaining his law degree from Emory University. He served as an Assistant Washington County Attorney from 2006 to 2012 and was a member of the Character Committee of the State Board of Law Examiners from 2006 to 2019. Beyond his legal work, Wilkinson was actively involved in youth soccer and baseball, leaving an indelible mark on his community.

As the investigation into this tragic event continues, many questions remain unanswered. A press conference led by the sheriff’s office, responsible for overseeing the investigation, is scheduled for Friday.

Hagerstown, the location of this heartbreaking incident, is situated approximately 75 miles northwest of Baltimore, near the borders of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The entire community is left mourning the loss of a dedicated judge who strived to make a positive impact on the lives of those he served.