Suspect vehicle in Maryland judge's killing found while alleged shooter still on the run

Maryland authorities are still looking for Pedro Argote, the suspect in the Oct. 19 shooting death of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, but they located the alleged killer's abandoned vehicle on Sunday morning.

Officials located the vehicle — a silver 2009 Mercedes GL450 with Maryland plates — in a wooded area off Bottom Road in Williamsport, Maryland, near a former tannery.

"We're gonna catch this guy. It's just a matter of time," Washington County Sheriff Brian K. Albert said during a Sunday press conference, calling the hunt for Argote, 49, "a nationwide search" involving multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Albert added that the vehicle could have been in the wooded area since last week.

MARYLAND JUDGE KILLED IN ‘TARGETED ATTACK’ AFTER SUSPECT'S DIVORCE, CUSTODY HEARING: OFFICIALS

Wilkinson was found dead in his driveway last Thursday evening with apparent gunshot wounds. His wife and son were home at the time of his alleged killing. Wilkinson was pronounced dead at the Meritus Medical Center.

MARYLAND JUDGE FATALLY SHOT IN DRIVEWAY ISSUED JUDGMENT IN SUSPECT'S DIVORCE CASE

Authorities said there was a hearing earlier that day, during which Wilkinson awarded child custody to Eugenia Argote, whom Pedro Argote was in the process of divorcing, but Pedro was not present at the hearing. Albert called Wilkinson's killing "a targeted attack" during a press conference last week.

Erika Johnson, attorney for Eugenia Argote, said they have "no information about the tragic murder of Judge Wilkinson" and no information "about the whereabouts of Mr. Argote."

"Our hearts ache for Judge Wilkinson’s family, and we are praying for them and for those searching for the suspect.," Johnson said. "Judge Wilkinson was a kind, caring, and compassionate individual. He will be truly missed. Given the ongoing nature of the investigation, we will be unable to provide further comment at this time."

FORMER WISCONSIN COUNTY JUDGE KILLED IN 'TARGETED' ATTACK ON JUDICIAL SYSTEM: REPORTS

The U.S. Marshals Service is now involved in the search for the 49-year-old suspect and is offering a $10,000 reward for information that could lead to his arrest.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office concluded its search in the Williamsport area on Sunday afternoon and determined that "[n]o further information indicates that Argote is still in the immediate area."

Albert said during the Sunday press conference that his office is working to obtain a search warrant to check the contents of the vehicle. 

BALTIMORE FIREFIGHTER DIES AFTER BATTLING MASSIVE BLAZE THAT ENGULFED MULTIPLE HOUSES

"We want to make sure we have an iron-clad case against him when we bring him to justice," Albert said.

Argote does not have a criminal record in Washington County, but authorities have been called to his address for "verbal domestic assaults" twice within the last several years, according to Albert.

Anyone with information regarding Argote's whereabouts is urged to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 240-313-2170 or the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2.

Israel releases unedited video of Oct 7 Hamas attack to counter 'Holocaust denial-like phenomenon'

Israel released on Monday what it says is "gruesome" and "unseen" bodycam footage of Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack in order to counter a "Holocaust denial-like phenomenon evolving in real time." 

Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy said in a video posted on X before the release that the Israel Defense Forces have "been collecting footage from bodycams taken by the Hamas death squads," and that they would be making the footage public to maintain a record to counter those who doubt whether certain events took place.

"Now unfortunately, and I can't believe I'm saying this, and I can't believe that we as a country are having to do this as we work to defeat the terror organization that brutalized our people, we are witnessing a Holocaust denial-like phenomenon evolving in real time as people are casting doubt on the magnitude of the atrocities that Hamas committed against our people and, in fact, recorded in order to glorify that violence," he continued. 

"Therefore... the Government Press Office will screen for foreign media gruesome and as yet unseen footage of the barbarities perpetrated against our people on October 7th," he added. "This is footage that has not been made public. It will screen a compilation of raw and unedited footage from the October 7th Massacre for journalists who can stomach the horrific truth and want to report on what they saw." 

LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS 

The screening happened in Israel Monday morning. Some of the content, according to Fox News correspondent Mike Tobin, included Israelis being ambushed in their cars, a girl being executed after Hamas terrorists found her hiding under a desk and a father dying after a Hamas fighter threw a grenade into a bomb shelter that he and his two children were seeking cover in.

The Government Press Office did not immediately respond to a request for further comment from Fox News Digital. 

BLINKEN SAYS U.S. IS ‘READY’ TO GET INVOLVED IN ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR IF LINE IS CROSSED 

The war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is now in its third week. At least 5,700 people have been reported killed in the war on both sides, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 32 Americans. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims at least 4,385 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and the West Bank and more than 13,561 wounded. 

At least 10 Americans are feared to be among the 222 people held captive by Hamas.

Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report. 

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)