The father suspected of fatally shooting a judge on his driveway after he lost custody of his kids ‘was controlling towards his estranged wife and violent to his daughter.’

Pedro Argote, 49, is the subject of a massive manhunt following the murder of judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, in Hagerstown, Maryland on Thursday night.

Police have now offered a $10,000 reward for anyone with information that could lead to the father-of-four’s capture.

He is suspected of shooting Wilkinson after loosing custody of his children and being banned from the family home by the judge, who was presiding over his case.

Now it has emerged that the fugitive was the subject of a petition for a domestic violence protection order in June 2022 which was temporarily granted, court documents claim.

Pedro Argote, 49, is at large following the fatal shooting of Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson on Thursday

Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, (pictured with his wife Stephanie at his swearing in in 2020) was shot dead on his driveway while his family were inside  the home

Argote’s wife claimed she was forced to intervene in a terrifying incident when he became violent towards 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 petition, the Daily Record reports.

 She also alleged financial abuse and claimed he was restricting her movement by keeping the family’s car keys in his possession at all times.

‘I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge,’ she wrote, ‘I need help, physical violence is not the only kind of violence.’

She added that she had called a domestic violence shelter in 2012 but did not get enough help to leave.

She also detailed how she managed to save $2,800 from the couple’s food truck business but this was taken by Argote.

‘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,’ she said in the petition.

It has since emerged Argote’s estranged wife filed a petition of a domestic violence protection order against her husband due to allegations he tried to become violent to their daughter and was abusive to his wife in other ways

Prior to the shooting Argote had lost custody of his four children and been banned from accessing his wife’s home by Wilkinson who was presiding over the case

A temporary protection order was given but this Argote’s wife chose to dismiss her petition when the couple came to an arrangement to live separately.

Prior to the petition, the couple had been living on different floors of the family home, an arrangement which Wilkinson noted was unusual but which Argote had reportedly suggested to try and save money while the divorce was pending. 

Sheriff Albert confirmed cops had visited to Argote’s residence twice within the last two years for ‘verbal domestic assaults’, but did not hold any prior criminal record in Washington County. 

A wanted poster issued by the U.S. Marshals states officers believe Argote to be ‘armed and dangerous’. 

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Investigators confirmed the firearm used in the shooting was legally obtained.

In an eerie Facebook review Argote was spotted praising a gun shop for ‘fun and dynamic’ training and making him ‘confident’ with a firearm. 

As of Friday night Argote was still at large.  He is described as 5’7, 130lbs with black hair and brown eyes, and may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, displaying Maryland registration plates 4EH0408.

Hours before the shooting unfolded, Argote was also ordered to pay pay child support of $1,120 per month for the four children he shares with his wife, all of whom he was also banned from seeing

In his judgement on Thursday, Wilkinson ruled that Argote’s wife will have ‘sole use and possession of the family home’, and that he was not to enter the property. 

Argote was also ordered to pay child support of $1,120 per month for their four children.

Police are now offering a $10,000 reward for information on Argote’s whereabouts with the fugitive still at large as of Friday night

At the time of the shooting Wilkinson’s wife and son were both inside their Hagerstown home.

The judge was rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds, but later succumbed to his injuries.

Floral tributes have poured in for the respected judge since his killing, with the flag at his courthouse hung at half-staff today.

In a statement after the shooting, Maryland Judiciary said Wilkinson’s death was a ‘tragic loss.’

‘As we grieve his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and please respect their privacy,’ the statement read.

‘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.’

US Senator Ben Cardin offered his ‘condolences to Judge Wilkinson’s family, friends and all those touched by his public service.

Wilkinson was gunned down on the driveway outside his home in Hagerstown, Washington at around 8pm, hours after ruling in a divorce case involving his alleged killer 

‘No one should have to endure the anguish of having a loved one ripped away in such a manner,’ Cardin continued in a statement.

‘There is no excuse for this kind of violence, especially against an officer of the court. The rule of law is what makes our society work. It may not be perfect, but individuals like Judge Wilkinson worked to make it better and more just every day.

‘His passion clearly was for serving his local community and for this, Judge Wilkinson will be sorely missed.’

Maryland Congressman David Trone said he was ‘shocked and heartbroken’ by the killing, adding: ‘This violence is horrifying to see in our community. Our thoughts are with his family during this unimaginable tragedy and with law enforcement investigating this crime.’