Man charged with killing newlyweds in Wisconsin bar

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Thomas A. Routt Jr. (Elkhorn Police), Gina and Emerson Weingart and the scene outside of the Sports Page Barr after they were gunned down inside (WISN screenshots)

Thomas A. Routt Jr. (Elkhorn Police), Gina and Emerson Weingart and the scene outside of the Sports Page Barr where they were gunned down. (WISN screenshots)

A 57-year-old man in Wisconsin has been arrested and charged with killing a newlywed couple, gunning them down inside a local bar where the female victim worked as a bartender.

Thomas A. Routt Jr. is facing a spate of felony charges, including 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 being a felon in possession of a firearm, authorities announced.

As previously reported by Law&Crime, Gina Weingart, 37, and Emerson Weingart, 33, were killed just after midnight on Feb. 1 in the Sports Page Barr at 29 1/2 S Wisconsin Street in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

According to a Thursday news release from police, there was only one other person in the bar at the time of the shooting.

“That eyewitness said a male, now believed by law enforcement to be Routt, came into the bar and began playing the gaming machines. After approximately 30 minutes, the eyewitness said it was just the eyewitness, Emerson (Weingart), Gina (Weingart), and Routt in the bar,” police wrote in the release.

“The eyewitness said Routt brandished a handgun and pointed it at Gina (Weingart), the bartender, and ordered them not to move. The eyewitness said they instinctively got up off their bar stool and Routt pointed the gun at the eyewitness and ordered the eyewitness not to move. The eyewitness said they sat back down and said Routt subsequently fired the gun at Gina (Weingart) and the eyewitness immediately fled out the door, calling 9-1-1 after distancing themself from the scene.”

Routt allegedly followed the fleeing eyewitness out the door and fired several shots at the individual, police said.

Court documents obtained by Milwaukee, Wisconsin, NBC affiliate WTMJ state that authorities allegedly found contraband on Routt during a traffic stop on Feb. 5. While in detention, Routt allegedly told investigators he wanted to speak with someone about the Elkhorn homicides.

Routt admitted to killing a man and a woman at the Sports Page Barr and to firing at least two shots at a witness who was fleeing the scene, the report states. He allegedly told police he did it “more than likely for the money.”

In his confession, Routt allegedly said that he pointed the firearm at Gina Weingart and told her to get on the ground, but claimed she “slapped the gun and it went off,” according to Milwaukee Fox affiliate WITI. He then allegedly said he shot the man — Emerson Weingart — who often stayed with his wife at the bar when she worked late shifts.

Routt walked over and “took $120 to $140 from the open cash register,” police said. Then, realizing Emerson Weingart was still alive, Routt allegedly shot him again.

Routt told police that the following morning, he discarded the weapon and ammunition in a trash receptacle at the Handi-Mart in Lake Como, Wisconsin, where officers retrieved a 9 mm handgun.

According to an obituary, the couple were married less than a year after tying the knot in June 2023. They started dating in 2020 and became inseparable, the obit said.

“Two of the most beautiful, kindhearted and fun-loving couple you could ever know,” the obituary said.