A MAN accused of gunning down a judge outside of his home was “controlling” and sometimes “violent” toward his family, it’s alleged in court records, despite playing the perfect dad in beaming photos shared to social media.

Pedro Argote, 49, is currently on the run after he allegedly shot dead US Circuit Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, outside his home in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Thursday night.

Hours before the fatal shots rang out, Wilkinson had presided over a divorce hearing between Argote and his estranged wife, whom The U.S. Sun is declining to name at this time.

During the proceedings, Wilkinson awarded full custody of their four children to his wife, with no rights to visitation or contact for Argote.

Argote, an entrepreneur, was also ordered to pay $1,120 in monthly child support fees and make a 2009 Mercedes available to his children’s mother, which police believe he may be driving as he attempts to evade capture.

During a press conference on Friday, police said Argote had no prior criminal convictions, but officers were called to the home two times within the last “few years” for verbal domestic assaults.

Court records observed by The U.S. Sun show that Argote was previously accused of domestic violence in June 2022.

A temporary domestic violence protection order was approved by the court, but Argote’s wife ultimately asked to dismiss her petition because the couple agreed on separate living arrangements, records show.

In the protective order request, Argote’s wife detailed years of alleged controlling and disturbing behavior by her husband.

Argote’s wife wrote that Argote was leaving her without any financial resources and kept the car keys on his person at all times so she couldn’t leave the home without permission.

She also claimed that Argote became violent with their daughter in October 2020.

“I got in the middle and told him for him to get to her he needed to hit me or kill me,” she wrote in the documents.

“I need help,” she further stated. “Physical violence is not the only kind of violence.”

“I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge.

“I have been trying to get out of this relationship for the longest time but for the fear that he will try to get custody of the kids.”

Argote’s wife also alleged that she’d sought help from a domestic violence center sometime in 2012 but never received enough help to leave him.

The couple ran a digital advertising business together and once operated a food truck, but the business shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Daily Record.

Images posted to social media between 2012 to 2015 unearthed by The U.S. Sun show a beaming Argote playing happy families with his wife and four children.

But behind the scenes, his wife claimed their home life was anything but tranquil.

‘VIOLENCE AND CONTROL’

During a magistrates court hearing last year – which didn’t involve Judge Wilkinson – Argote’s wife testified that the couple fought constantly.

“Every time we are around each other, there is always some kind of fight, for any reason whatsoever,” she said in court, per the Record.

“There is a lot of conversations about Judge, and Court,” she continued, adding that the arguments were becoming “too much” for their children, aged between 3 and 12.

It was Argote who filed for divorce from his wife last June, however, he continued to live with his family for several months.

According to court records, he planned to live with his family for at least two years to save money in preparation for their eventual split.

In an opinion issued in March, Wilkinson remarked on Argote’s odd wishes.

“It seems that Father entered the court process of divorce without recognizing that the court will not simply sit back and wait for two years while he figures out what he wants to do,” Wilkinson wrote, court records show.

The judge added that Argote has “absolute control over Mother, their finances, and their lives,” which he believed not to be in the best interests of the children.

As the divorce drew on, his wife was awarded possession of the home, and Argote moved briefly to West Virginia before moving to an apartment in Frederick.

A friend of the family later set up a GoFundMe page for Argote’s partner, seeking $10,000 in donations to help her through a “very difficult divorce process.”

“The court has already granted her legal and physical custody of her children, in addition to the use and possession of her house. However, this process has put her through emotional and financial difficulties quite complicated.

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“Having been a housewife during her marriage, without any source of income of her own, she is not completely ready to begin this new chapter in her life and in the life of the children who need a big deal.

“She copes with the emotional situation with the support, from afar, of some of her family and friends, but the economic hardship has become a major challenge.

“In the coming weeks, she must start paying the monthly fees of their home’s mortgage, in addition to many of the day-to-day expenses of her four children and herself, without currently having a fixed income and without having any type of financial support.

“Unfortunately, the child support she receives for her children is minimal compared to the expenses related to their daily lives and activities.”

The fundraiser amassed just $1,078 of its total goal.

The individual who set up the GoFundMe has not yet responded to a request for comment.

CUSTODY DISPUTE TURNS DEADLY

The search for Argote remains ongoing.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office warned the public during a press conference on Friday not to approach him, stressing he is considered armed and dangerous.

They asked anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact them immediately.

Argote is described as as 5-foot-7, 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, and is believed to be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, with Maryland registration plates reading: 4EH0408.

Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said that Argote was not present in court for his divorce hearing on Thursday morning, but the shooting of Wilkinson is believed to be motivated by the outcome of the divorce.

Wilkinson was gunned down in his driveway roughly 11 hours later after the hearing concluded.

Albert said the judge’s wife and son were inside the home at the time of the deadly shooting.

It’s unclear what firearm was used in the attack and how many times Wilkinson was struck.

Argote does legally own a handgun, cops say.

HAPPY TRIGGER PAST

In a 2021 Facebook post, the accused killer bragged about taking shooting lessons in a review posted on the United Gun Shop Facebook page.

“John and his team have the knowledge and extensive experience needed with firearms to make anyone feel safe and at ease the very first time around, even better, you’ll leave feeling confident, just ask those grandmas that have been stopping by!” wrote Argote.

“Trainings are fun and very dynamic. Down to earth, straightforward customer service throughout the entire class, purchase, and fingerprinting experience.

“Make sure you call United first and get all of your questions answered!”

When reached by phone, a man who identified himself as “Jonathan” refused to discuss how well he knew Argote or whether he was a regular at the store.

He said he’d been alerted to the deadly shooting of Wilkinson only moments earlier and didn’t feel comfortable speaking until he knew more about the case.

“Someone sent me a message this morning, but I don’t know the details,” he said.

“Until there’s more details and that sort of stuff, I’m just a little uncomfortable speaking.

“I think that it’s so early we need a little more details to figure out what in the world we’ve got going on here.”

‘PRAY FOR THEM’

Wilkinson was rushed to the hospital on Thursday night but pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Footage from outside Wilkinson’s home showed the flashing lights of cop cars and crime scene tape surrounding the property.

Born in Agana, Guam, Wilkinson attended the University of North Carolina and Emory University School of Law.

He was sworn in as a Washington County Circuit Court judge in January 2020.

In a statement, The Maryland Judiciary mourned Wilkinson’s tragic death.

“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 judiciary wrote.

“The Maryland Judiciary is actively engaging with law enforcement to assist in resolving this matter and to ensure the safety of our judges, staff, and visitors, which remains our top priority.”