The Maryland judge who was executed in cold blood in the driveway of his home was “targeted” by a suspect just hours after giving custody of the man’s children to his ex-wife in a divorce case, officials said Friday. 

Pedro Argote, 49, is being actively sought by local, county and state law enforcement in connection with the homicide investigation into the killing of Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said at a press conference Friday.

The judge’s wife and son were also home at the time of the deadly shooting in Hagerstown, Albert said. 

Argote, from Frederick, Maryland, is considered “armed and dangerous,” the sheriff warned as a huge manhunt continued.

Court records indicate that Wilkinson oversaw Argote’s divorce proceedings — which was the only case on the judge’s docket Thursday, hours before he was shot dead.

At the press conference, the sheriff confirmed that the hearing took place — but said that Argote was not present in court. 

Court records indicate that Argote was the one who filed for divorce in June 2022. 

Wilkinson signed an order saying there was to be no visitation or contact between Argote and his four children, or their mother, Eugenia Argote, according to the partial judgment in the divorce case cited by The Herald-Mail. 

The judgment also granted Argote’s ex-wife “sole use and possession of the family home” and barred the husband from entering the property.

Deputies had responded to Argote’s home twice for reports of verbal domestic assault over the past two years, Sheriff Albert said. 

Argote has been ordered to pay wife Eugenia child support of $1,120 a month for their four minor children, according to the court document.

Argote ran a digital advertising business with his wife, but they were experiencing financial woes during the divorce, according to court records obtained by The Maryland Daily Record.

During a court hearing a year ago, Argote’s wife testified that she and her husband had husband fought constantly, often about their divorce.

Around the time Argote filed for divorce, his wife petitioned for a domestic violence protection order against him.

In the petition, the wife claimed that Argote was controlling her movements by keeping the keys to the family car in his possession at all times, and that he was leaving her without any means to support herself financially.

“I can’t get out of the house without his knowledge,” she wrote.

Eugenia Argote claimed on one occasion in October 2022, her husband was on the verge of becoming violent with their daughter.

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

She also noted that her husband owned at least two guns, including a 9mm Glock.

The woman said she tried to save up enough money to get away from her husband, but she claimed Argote pocketed her savings.

A temporary order of protection was granted to Eugenia Argote, but she later asked to dismiss her petition because she and her husband agreed to live separately.

In his judgment, Wilkinson wrote that he got “the uneasy sense that Father [Pedro Argote] engages in absolute control over Mother, their finances, and their lives. This is not in the best interest of their children.”

Argote is described as 5 feet 7 and 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

He may be driving a silver 2009 Mercedes with Maryland plates.

“Anyone with information in reference to Argote’s location is asked to not approach him but to immediately notify law enforcement,” officials said.

The sheriff’s office will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. to offer additional details on the case.

Maryland State Police deployed troopers Thursday night to protect other judges living in Washington County for “precautionary reasons.

Wilkinson was shot outside his Hagerstown home around 8 p.m. 

The firearm used in the killing was legally purchased by the suspect, officials said. 

The judge was taken to Meritus Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

The Maryland Judiciary released a statement Friday addressing Wilkinson’s killing.

“As we grieve his loss, we ask that you keep the Wilkinson family in your prayers and please respect their privacy,” the letter 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.”

Wilkinson had served as a Washington County circuit court judge since January 2020, after being appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, according to his online biography.

Born in Agana, Guam, Wilkinson graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1994 and went on to earn his law degree from Emory University School of Law in 1997, after which he became a circuit court law clerk in Washington County.

He spent the next two decades working in the private sector, including as a solo practitioner.

At his swearing-in ceremony, Wilkinson said he wanted to become a judge to serve the community, 

“It’s an honor and it’s humbling, and I’m happy to serve,” he said.

Neil Parrott, a former Republican delegate in the Maryland House of Delegates, hailed Wilkinson as an “exceptional judge” and “a pillar in our community.”

“The events tonight are catastrophic for Washington County, for Maryland, and for our justice system,” Parrott said in a statement to CNN Thursday night.

“Judge Wilkinson served faithfully and will be severely missed.”

Wilkinson’s former law partner Jason Divelbiss described the 52-year-old jurist, who was a husband and a father, as “an exceptional lawyer” and a loving family man.

“His wife and kids were always his highest priority and my thoughts go out to them at this horrible time,” Divelbiss added.

“Drew was also very close with his brother and the office always filled with laughter when he dropped by,” the law partner continued.

“One of Drew’s greatest assets was his ability to bring stability to the most difficult situations which is what made him a great attorney, mediator and eventually judge.”

With Post wires