Man arrested for allegedly fatally shooting newlyweds during robbery at Wisconsin bar
02/16/2024 2:41 pm PST
ELKHORN, Wis. (TCD) -- Police have arrested a 51-year-old man they allege shot and killed a newlywed couple this month at a sports bar where the bride worked.
On Friday, Feb. 16, the Elkhorn Police Department released a statement announcing Thomas Allen Routt Jr. was located and taken into custody on two counts of first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide by use of a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm for his alleged role in the deaths of Emerson Weingart and Gina Weingart.
According to a police department statement, on Thursday, Feb. 1, Routt went to Sports Page Barr and began playing gaming machines. An eyewitness told police that the witness, Routt, and Emerson and Gina Weingart were the only people in the bar at one point. Routt allegedly took out a handgun, pointed it at Gina Weingart, and ordered them not to move. The witness "instinctively got up off their barstool," but Routt allegedly pointed the gun at them, and they sat back down.
Routt allegedly shot Gina, which caused the witness to flee and call 911.
Routt, who was out on parole for arson, was arrested Feb. 4.
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Routt allegedly admitted to investigators that he shot the newlyweds and fired his gun at the fleeing witness. He reportedly "indicated that his motive was robbery" and stole somewhere between $120 to $140 from the cash drawer. The next morning, he dumped his 9 mm handgun and ammunition in a trash can at a Handi-Mart. Police managed to recover the firearm.
Gina and Emerson Weingart wed in June 2023.
After the shooting, Sports Page Barr owner Jordan Barr wrote on Facebook, "When I eventually offered Gina a part time job, they were already a part of the family. Their lives were just beginning, and I believe I speak for our entire Sports Page family by saying we are absolutely devastated by what happened. It is a despicable act of violence that has shaken all of us to our core."
Walworth County Jail records show Routt is being held on $2 million bond
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