The Wisconsin newlyweds who were shot to death at a sports bar died for less than $150, as police reveal shocking new details about their senseless murder.
Gina Weingart, 37, and Emerson Weingart, 33, were shot to death inside the Sports Page Barr in downtown Elkhorn on February 1.
Thomas Routt Jr., 57, has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide after admitting to investigators that he fired his gun into the bar with plans to rob the business.
Police said he stole between $120 and $140 from the cash drawer before fleeing in his vehicle back home.
A witness also reported that they saw Routt inside the bar playing video games for about 30 minutes before “brandishing a gun and pointing it at Gina, the waitress,” police said.
Gina worked there two nights a week as a waitress and her husband regularly kept her company late into the night.
Gina Weingart, 37, and Emerson Weingart, 33, were shot to death inside the Sports Page Barr in downtown Elkhorn on February 1.
Thomas Routt Jr., 57, was arrested and charged in connection with the couple’s brutal murder. He got away with it and took between $120 and $140 from the cash drawer before fleeing.
“The witness said they instinctively got up from their stool and Routt pointed the gun at the witness and ordered him not to move,” police said.
According to the report, Routt allegedly fired his gun as the witness quickly ran out of the establishment and called 911.
Routt was arrested on February 4 by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on a Department of Corrections hold. He was on probation for arson at the time of his arrest.
He will also face one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release.
The morning after his arrest, Routt told police he discarded the gun and ammunition in a trash can at a gas station in Lake Como. Authorities later recovered a 9mm handgun from that trash can, he said. police.
The couple grew up in Wisconsin and married in June 2023, just months before the tragedy. Police have yet to confirm whether they believe the couple were targeted or if it was a random attack.
At the time of the incident, Emerson’s father, Jeff Weingart, said the police “better find” the suspect, and described hearing that his son had died in such a horrific way as “heartbreaking.”
“Someone saw them,” he said. WISN. ‘Someone saw them. I don’t care, you can’t achieve something like that. I can’t believe it was just her and him at the bar.
Emerson was a Christian and an “avid sportsman” who “learned to fish practically as soon as he could walk,” according to the couple’s joint obituary.
The Elkhorn City Police Department said they received a 911 call around 12:11 a.m. about “shots fired” at Sports Page Barr (pictured), but that the couple had died from their injuries.
Routt previously spent more than 20 years in prison for arson and robbery convictions and was released on parole in 2020.
He grew up in Burlington and worked at Kroger as a meat department manager at Metro Market in Mukwonago.
Gina, from Milwaukee, was “a very social person and loved people.” She also had a “great” singing voice and had been selected for a cruise ship dance group.
‘When I walked into a room, at the end of the day, I knew everyone. “She had a beautiful smile that would light up a room,” his obituary says.
“Gina and Emerson started dating in 2020 and became inseparable,” the tribute adds. “(They were) two of the most beautiful, kind, fun couples you’ll ever meet.”
Routt appeared in court Friday when Emerson’s father called the suspect a monster. CBS 58 reported.
The suspect spoke only once when he responded to the judge’s question about his attorney, while a public defender handled the rest of the hearing.
His attorney Russell Jones told CBS 58 that Routt will plead not guilty and that neither he nor his client have seen evidence yet.
“It’s his summary of the case, it’s not subject to cross-examination, it’s not evidence,” Russell said.
The couple grew up in Wisconsin and married in June 2023, just months before the tragedy. Police have yet to confirm whether they believe the couple were targeted or if it was a random attack.
The bar remained closed as police cordoned off the area as they continue to search for evidence. Devastated friends, family and locals left flowers, candles and photographs of the couple nearby.
Routt previously spent more than 20 years in prison for arson and robbery convictions and was released on parole in 2020.
He is expected to appear in court again Wednesday on charges related to the couple’s murder.
“Our families have been devastated by this senseless act of violence,” the heartbroken father said.
The bar remained closed as police cordoned off the area as they continue to search for evidence. Devastated friends, family and locals left flowers, candles and photographs of the couple nearby.
“From what we’ve seen here, there’s still a lot of love in this world,” Jeff said.