ELKHORN, Wisconsin – A parolee with an extensive criminal record has been taken into custody as a “person of interest” in the shooting deaths of Wisconsin newlyweds at a sports bar, authorities said.
The suspect, Thomas Routt Jr., was detained in connection with the deaths of Gina Weingart, 37, and her husband, Emerson Weingart, 33, who were fatally shot on February 1 at the Sports Page Barr in Elkhorn, according to officials.
Routt, who has previously served time in federal prison for convictions including arson, burglary, and forgery, has been identified by a criminal defense attorney as the person in custody. However, the attorney maintains that his client is innocent and not involved in the case.
Although Routt has not been formally charged in the shooting deaths, he was sent to jail on a corrections hold due to his extensive criminal history. Authorities have indicated that he may be held longer than the usual 72 hours because of his parole status.
Official statements from the Elkhorn police noted that efforts have been focused on an investigation lead that developed over the weekend, which identified a person of interest in the case. However, they did not name Routt as the person of interest when making the announcement.
Further information has revealed that Routt was released on parole in August 2020 for a burglary charge, but was previously incarcerated for arson. Despite his attorney’s claims of innocence, a Wisconsin Court of Appeals order described the arson committed by Routt as “one of the worst” the court had ever seen.
The newlyweds, who were the only two people in the bar at the time of the shooting, were discovered with fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities have yet to release details about a motive or a potential suspect, nor have they disclosed whether the couple was specifically targeted or if the attack was random.
The grief-stricken father of Emerson expressed confidence that someone must have witnessed something, emphasizing the need to find the perpetrator. The shooting deaths have left the community in shock and mourning, with the families of the victims left devastated by the loss of their loved ones.
Overall, the investigation into the shooting deaths of the Weingarts continues, with authorities withholding further information to protect the integrity of the ongoing case.