Maryland police have launched an urgent manhunt for a suspect linked to the fatal shooting Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson. 

Pedro Argote, 49, allegedly gunned down the associate circuit court judge, 52, in the driveway of his west Maryland home at around 8pm Thursday night. 

Argote remains at large, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office warned the public not to approach him and to contact if they have any information as to his whereabouts. 

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.

Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal that Argote had a divorce hearing held by Wilkinson earlier in the day of the shooting. 

According to the Harald Mail, Argote’s divorce hearing on Thursday saw Wilkinson rule that the father can have no visitation or contact with his children or wife. 

Pedro Argote, 49, was named by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office as the suspect in the grisly shooting

Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson (pictured), 52, was killed in an apparent shooting at his home Thursday evening

Wilkinson has served as an associate circuit court judge in Washington County since 2020. He is pictured at his swearing in ceremony on January 10, 2020, alongside his wife Stephanie

Wilkinson was found in the driveway of his home in the Maryland city of Hagerstown, and was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead. 

A motive for the shooting has not been officially confirmed. 

Born in Guam in 1971, Wilkinson previously served as an assistant county attorney in Washington County from 2006 to 2012, and served as an associate circuit court judge in Washington County since 2020.

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He also served as a member of the State Board of Law Examiners’ Character Committee from 2006 to 2019.

His profile on the court’s website also highlighted his work as a Little League baseball and youth soccer coach, while being active in his local church.

‘We are a courthouse of six judges,’ Administrative Judge Brett R. Wilson, a colleague, told the New York Times. ‘We all know each other very well.’ 

Maryland State Troopers are being dispatched to protect other judges, according to 7News.

Cops released this image of a vehicle Argote may have been driving, described as a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450, displaying Maryland registration plates 4EH0408

Wilkinson was gunned down on the driveway outside his home in Hagerstown, Washington at around 8pm Thursday

The sheriff’s office has not released any further details about Wilkinson’s killing

Wilkinson was hospitalized but later pronounced dead, according to the county sheriff’s office

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.’