A convicted felon apprehended for the fatal shooting of a recently married couple inside a bar in Wisconsin disclosed to investigators that his motive was to rob the establishment. The perpetrator, Thomas Routt Jr, revealed that he perpetrated the crime for a sum of less than USD 150, managing to abscond with an amount estimated between USD 120 to 140.
The victims, identified as Gina Weingart (37) and Emerson Weingart (33), had exchanged vows in June 2023. The tragic incident unfolded on February 1 at the Sports Page Bar, where Gina was employed as a bartender.
According to reports from The New York Post, Routt, aged 57, faces charges including two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, armed robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Routt, previously on parole for arson with a criminal record dating back to 1995, confessed to authorities that he initiated gunfire to rob the bar.
Police reports indicate that a witness observed Routt spending approximately 30 minutes inside the bar playing video games before brandishing his firearm and instructing three individuals, including Gina and Emerson Weingart, to remain stationary. Subsequently, he opened fire, prompting the witness to flee the scene and alert law enforcement.
Routt was apprehended on February 4 and confessed to shooting the couple and the fleeing witness. He admitted to disposing of the firearm used in the crime in a garbage receptacle.
Appearing in court on February 17, Routt is scheduled for another hearing on Wednesday.
Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin granted Routt parole in 2020.
An ongoing investigation by authorities aims to ascertain whether the couple was specifically targeted or if the attack was a random act of violence, as reported by The Daily Mail.
