Family speaks after young couple shot and killed in Elkhorn bar, search for the killer continues

 ELKHORN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A killer is still on the loose after a young couple was found shot and killed in an Elkhorn bar early Thursday morning, Feb. 1.

The victims were identified by the medical examiner, according to the City of Elkhorn Police. They are 37-year-old Gina Weingart and 33-year-old Emerson Weingart, who were married just this past summer.

On Thursday night, Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen told us in an email: "The suspect is still at large [sic] and investigators are still working to identify the suspect."

The Sports Page Barr and Grill on S. Wisconsin St. remained closed Thursday night after it was swarmed with investigators for much of the day. A memorial grew on the sidewalk outside.

Walworth County officials said a 911 call came in just after midnight for a report of shots fired at a bar.

The Walworth County Sheriff's Office and Elkhorn Police Department responded to the bar and found the bodies of a man and woman inside, both with gunshot wounds.

During a press conference Thursday, Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen called the situation a "senseless act of violence."

Emerson Weingart's father Jeff said he's frustrated with the lack of information he's getting from police.

"My son called me at 12:09. And I was asleep, and I answered the phone. And there was nobody on the other end."

Elkhorn Police said someone called 911 two minutes later. Shots had been fired at the Sports Page Barr and Grill, and a person was down.

A dispatcher from the Walworth County Fire and EMS radioed, "Elkhorn, can you respond to two-nine-and-a-half South Wisconsin Street. Again, 29½ South Wisconsin Street, the Sports Page Barr and Grill for a male with a head shot."

Emerson and Gina Weingart had been shot and killed.

Marcos Quiles works at nearby Ketchpaw's Hair Styling. He said, "One of our workers, actually, he lives up on top of this barber shop. He actually said he actually heard shots."

Quiles said the situation is scary and surprising for the area.

"It's more of a small town, very quiet, so for something to happen so close, it's actually a big deal," Quiles said.

Jeff Weingart told us, "My wife and I are absolutely devastated. Emerson was a good kid."

Jeff told us Emerson graduated from high school with honors, then got a teaching degree at UW-La Crosse.

He worked as a meat manager at a grocery store and was an avid sportsman who loved to fish and hunt. And he said Emerson had lots of friends.

He and Gina got married in June.

Gina tended bar twice a week, and Emerson would sit with her.

Emerson's two younger brothers found out about the shooting from friends who listened to the police scanners overnight.

On Thursday afternoon, the brothers broke the news to their parents.

Jeff said, "They got to my house around noon and told mom and dad to sit down on the couch. And they said, 'Emerson and Gina saw God last night.' And that was it."

At an afternoon briefing, police had yet to determine a motive.

Elkhorn Police Chief Joel Christensen said, "We do not know at this time if it was a robbery, or if it was targeted against the individuals."

But Jeff Weingart is frustrated with the lack of information, telling us, "We've been asking all kinds of questions. I asked if they had a suspect, they wouldn't say. I asked if they had an eyewitness, they wouldn't say."

Hours after the shooting, as a memorial grew outside, people were not feeling safe worrying about the killer.

Jenna Wasser lives above the bar. She said when she went out Thursday evening, "I'm looking and I'm like 'Ok, where are they? Are they still here? Are they in a different state?'"

Jeff Weingart and his wife are also awaiting answers, while they make arrangements for their son. He said he was a "Good kid. You know he didn't have any enemies. Kid wouldn't hurt a fly."

The Wisconsin State Crime Lab and Wisconsin State Patrol are helping with the investigation.

"We have no one in custody at this time for this crime, so people should take reasonable steps to ensure their safety," Christensen said.

The incident remains under investigation. The Elkhorn Police Department is asking anyone with information or security footage to contact them as soon as possible.