ELKHORN, Wis. — More than two weeks after 33-year-old Emerson Weingart and 37-year-old Gina Weingart were killed in an Elkhorn sports bar, the person of interest in the case has been formally charged.
Thomas Routt is facing five counts, including two charges of first-degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon. He is facing one charge of attempted first degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon. He also was charged with armed robbery, and possessing a firearm as a felon.
Routt appeared virtually in Walworth County court Friday afternoon, and didn't say a word for the hearing which took less than 10 minutes.
Emerson and Gina Weingart were killed at the Sports Page Barr on February 1. The criminal complaint filed Friday says Routt was playing a gaming machine inside the bar and after about 30 minutes, pulled a gun on Gina Weingart who was bartending.
An eyewitness told investigators, Routt told everyone not to move and eventually shot Gina. The eye witness ran from the bar and tells investigators they heard more shots coming from inside.
The break in the case came from Routt himself. Three days after the homicides, Routt was pulled over by the Walworth County Sheriff's Office for a traffic stop. He was arrested for possession of contraband.
While Routt was locked up, he asked to speak with someone about the homicides in Elkhorn. During an interview with law enforcement, Routt said he was the person with the gun at Sports Page Barr. He said, he did all of this "more than likely for the money." According to the criminal complaint, Routt told investigators, he pointed the gun at Gina and she slapped it away, but the gun went off, killing her.
Then, Routt told investigators, he shot the man at the bar, Emerson Weingart and admitted to firing two to three shots at the eye witness who ran out the back door. After the shooting, Routt says he took between $120 and $140 from the register inside the bar and saw Emerson was still alive.
That's when Routt told police he shot Emerson again.
Routt continued to explain what happened, telling investigators he disposed of the handgun and ammunition at a gas station. Elkhorn Police say they found the handgun inside a trash can at the Handi-Mart in Lake Como.
Routt has been held at the Walworth County Jail since he was arrested on February 5. He served several years in federal prison on a slew of convictions, including arson, burglary, and forgery. He was released from prison in August of 2020 on parole, something Emerson's father questions.
"The press needs to do its job and use all its investigatory resources to find out why Tony Evers' administration paroled this monster who committed this brazen act that took the lives of two very special, beautiful and loving people," Jeff Weingart, Emerson's father said. "Gina and Emerson."
Family members of the couple tell TMJ4 Gina Weingart worked at the Sports Page Barr part-time, and that her husband, Emerson, would hang out with her until she closed the bar.
They tell us the couple got married last year in June 2023, and were beloved by friends, family, co-workers, and members of their church, where they were regulars.
They also tell us the couple loved "anything and everything outdoors."
“It’s horrible how you can take both of them, but Gina for me was such a kind, loving, bubbly human being. It’s crazy that was just taken away,” Heather Duzynski, Gina’s cousin, shared. They were born just two weeks apart and grew up together.
“We went to the same schools, we danced together, we’ve known each other our whole lives. People called us twin cousins because we were so similar,” Duzynski smiled, recalling some of her favorite memories together.
The outpouring of support is something that has meant a lot to the Weingart family.
"Our families want to thank Elkhorn and the surrounding communities for your acts of love, support and kindness," Jeff Weingart said. "From what we've seen here, there is still a lot of love in the world."
This story will be updated.
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