MD-Judge who awarded children to mother in custody battle, gunned down by father

[Anti Federalist]

Judge Shot and Killed Outside Home in Gun-Controlled Maryland

https://www.breitbart.com/crime/202...lled-outside-home-in-gun-controlled-maryland/

AWR HAWKINS 20 Oct 2023

Washington County Circuit Court Associate Judge Andrew Wilkinson was shot outside his Hagerstown, Maryland, home on Thursday and died later in the day at the hospital.

The BBC reported that police believe 52-year-old Wilkinson was targeted because of an ongoing custody battle. He was shot multiple times, and police found him lying in the driveway.

NBC News noted that Sheriff Brian K. Albert said, “The victim was suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He was transported to Meritus Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.”

Police are searching for 49-year-old Pedro Argote in connection with Wilkinson’s death and are warning the public that Argote is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Pedro Argote
Pedro Argote (Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

Wilkinson was the judge in a custody case involving Argote Thursday morning. Wilkinson granted custody to the mother during the hearing.

Maryland has an “assault weapons” ban, a “high capacity” magazine ban, universal background checks, a red flag law, “ghost gun” regulations, a permit-to-purchase for handguns, and other controls that Democrats at the federal level want for the entire nation.

 

[A Son of Liberty]

For the record, as a resident of the People's Republic of Maryland, all of my firearms, mags, and ammo were tragically lost in a catastrophic boating incident. Thousands of dollars - not to mention dear loved ones - were lost in the mishap.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Somehow, I doubt the father will get custody now.

 

[CaptUSA]

Somehow, I doubt the father will get custody now.

Probably thought his life was over anyhow. I seriously couldn't even imagine losing custody of my kids.

So yeah, he won't have custody, but he also won't have to be a slave to the kid's mother.

 

[sparebulb]

Well, as they say:

Decisions have consequences.

 

[Anti Globalist]

Certainly won't be able to have his kids now after this stunt.

 

[69360]

Been there done that. Well I didn't shoot the judge, but did basically tell him off and walk out of the courtroom. I already had full custody of the kids at that point because my ex could not, so I didn't care. Family court judges are almost exclusivly evil and incompotent.

 

[tod evans]

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Police: Suspect in Killing of Maryland Judge Found Dead

https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2023/10/26/police-suspect-in-killing-of-maryland-judge-found-dead/

OLIVIA RONDEAU 26 Oct 2023

The man suspected of fatally shooting Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson over a child custody decision was found dead Thursday morning following a weeklong manhunt.

Pedro Argote, 49, had been sought after by law enforcement since the October 19 slaying of Washington county circuit court Judge Wilkinson, who had ruled in favor of Argote’s estranged wife in a child custody dispute just hours earlier. Police believe that Wilkinson’s decision to give the mother full custody of their four children and to ban Argote from any contact besides a $1,120 monthly child support payment motivated Argote to go to his home and shoot him dead, NBC News reported.

Wilkinson, 52, was found dead in his driveway. Argote was on the run until he was found at 11 a.m. Thursday, when a search in Williamsport led to the discovery of his body.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Argote was found deceased in a heavily wooded area about one mile away from where his vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz SUV, was found Saturday.

According to Sheriff Brian Albert, the sheriff’s office is “pretty sure that, you know, obviously we got our guy.”

“The Washington County community can breathe a little easier this afternoon,” he added at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

A reward of $10,000 was offered by the U.S. Marshals Service for tips leading to Argote’s arrest before he was found dead.

The cause and time of death is unknown until an autopsy is completed.

Albert added that the family of the slain judge was “appreciative” to hear of Argote being located.

“We just came from Judge Wilkinson’s viewing, met with the family. They were very appreciative,” he said. “It brings a little bit of closure to them, but it’s still a tragedy. They lost a husband, father and a brother.”

The late judge’s family was reportedly at home when he was shot dead just outside.

Wilkinson had been overseeing Argote’s divorce case, which was filed in June 2022. According to NBC, the shooting suspect was not present in court on the day of the judge’s decision to ban him from seeing his children, who range from ages 3 to 12.

“Court records show Argote’s wife filed a domestic violence petition against him in June 2022, alleging emotional and physical abuse, although it resulted in a dismissal less than two weeks later,” the outlet noted.

The police department has since “added some security throughout the community” to provide further protection to local judges, the sheriff said.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) made a statement regarding the judge’s murder.

“I am shocked, heartbroken, and sickened by the killing of Judge Andrew Wilkinson. He was the victim of a cold-blooded, vicious, and targeted attack. My heart goes out to Judge Wilkinson’s family, and my prayers are with everyone who knew him, loved him, and served alongside him,” Moore said.

 

[WarriorLiberty]

Well, as they say:

Decisions have consequences.

Indeed.

Its a shame the court system would give more to the mother than the father in most cases..