Maryland Cops Hunting Desperate Dad Who Guns Down Judge in Driveway After Losing Custody Battle

A man is reportedly on the run after allegedly fatally shooting a Maryland judge on Thursday, hours after he awarded child custody to his partner.

CNN reported that Pedro Argote, 49, did not attend Thursday’s divorce hearing in which Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, sided with Argote’s partner. After the hearing, Argote is believed to have gunned down Wilkinson while he was on the driveway of h  his Hagerstown home.

Wilkinson’s wife and son were reportedly at the home when the deadly shooting occurred. The Herald-Mail reported that during Thursday’s hearing, Wilkinson signed an order barring Argote from having contact with his children.

Wilkinson also ordered that the children’s mother have sole use and possession of the property, which Argote was also prohibited from entering. Argote was ordered to pay $1,120 a month for their four children, according to The Herald-Mail.

Argote — who is considered armed and dangerous — was described as being 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, and having black hair and brown eyes. He is possibly driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450 with Maryland plates reading 4EH0408.

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[Featured image: Pedro Argote/Washington County Sheriff’s Office; Andrew Wilkinson/Washington County Bar Association]