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A convicted felon arrested for killing a newly-married couple inside a bar in the US state of Wisconsin told investigators that he opened fire with the intention of robbing the establishment. The perpetrator said “he killed them for less than USD 150” as he managed to escape with an amount between USD 120 to 140.

The couple, identified as Gina Weingart (37) and Emerson Weingart (33), tied the knot in June 2023. The incident took place on February 1 at the Sports Page Bar, where Gina was employed as a bartender.

Citing the police, The New York Post said in a report that the 57-year-old accused person, Thomas Routt Jr, has been charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.

Routt, who was out on parole for arson and had a criminal history dating back to 1995, told the police that he opened fire with the aim of robbing the bar.

The police said that a witness had reported that Routt was inside the bar for 30 minutes playing video games before he pulled out his gun and asked three people, including Gina and Emerson Weingart, not to move.

Shortly after that, he opened fire and the witness ran out of the bar and called the police.

Routt was arrested on February 4.

The police said that he admitted to shooting at the couple and also the witness who fled the establishment from a back exit. He also said that he had discarded the gun used in committing the crime in a dustbin.

Routt appeared in court on February 17 and is slated to appear again on Wednesday.

He was paroled by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in 2020.

A Daily Mail report said the police are yet to establish whether the couple was targeted or if it was a random attack.