Thomas Routt: Convicted felon confesses to killing newlyweds in Wisconsin sports bar for less than $150
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
ELKHORN, WISCONSIN: Thomas Routt Jr, 57, a convicted felon, has confessed to the shooting deaths of Wisconsin newlyweds,Gina Weingart, 37, and Emerson Weingart, 33, inside a sports bar.
Charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, Routt admitted to authorities that he orchestrated the killings with the sole motive of robbing the couple, making off with a meager sum of less than $150 from the bar's cash drawer.
Timeline of Thomas Routt Jr's shooting
The tragic incident unfolded on February 1 at the Sports Page Bar, where Gina worked. Routt, a parolee with a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1995, spent approximately 30 minutes inside the establishment, playing a video game machine before brandishing a handgun.
He ordered Gina and her husband Emerson, and another individual, not to move, escalating the situation into a horrifying act of violence. Eyewitnesses detailed Routt's threatening gestures, recounting how he pointed the gun at Gina, the bartender, before opening fire.
Police informed, “The eyewitness said they instinctively got up off their barstool and Routt pointed the gun at the eyewitness and ordered the eyewitness not to move.”
Authorities reported that Routt returned to his residence after the shooting, making off with an amount ranging from $120 to $140 taken from a cash drawer of the bar.
The third person in the bar managed to escape and promptly called 911, leading to the suspect's arrest by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on February 4.
Thomas Routt Jr attempted to shoot a third person as they fled
During subsequent investigations, “Routt subsequently admitted to shooting both Emerson and Gina Weingart and following the eyewitness out the back door and shooting at the eyewitness as they fled," New York Post reported.
In addition to the first-degree intentional homicide charges, the suspect faces accusations of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, armed robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities disclosed that Routt discarded the weapon and ammunition in a trash receptacle at the Handi-Mart in Lake Como the morning after the incident. Law enforcement later recovered a 9mm handgun and ammo from the garbage.
Appearing in court on Friday, February 16, Routt faced Emerson’s father, Jeff Weingart, who described him as a "monster."
The grieving father expressed the devastation inflicted upon their families by this "senseless act of violence."
Walworth County District Attorney Zeke Wiedenfeld highlighted the severity of the charges, stating, "The defendant killed two people and attempted to kill a third."
Routt's next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21, where he is expected to plead not guilty, according to his attorney, Russell Jones.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if there were surveillance cameras, but at this point we have not been provided any video footage of anything,” added the lawyer.
