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{{Short description|American mass murderer}} {{Short description|American mass murderer}}
<noinclude>{{Requested move notice|1=2005 Living Church of God shooting|2=Talk:Terry Ratzmann#Requested move 6 January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}} </noinclude>{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox murderer {{Infobox murderer
| name = Terry Ratzmann | name = Terry Ratzmann
| image = Terry Ratzmann.jpg | image = Terry Ratzmann.jpg
| image_size = | image_size =
| caption = | caption =
| birthname = Terry Michael Ratzmann | birthname = Terry Michael Ratzmann
| occupation = ] | occupation = ]
| birth_date = April 29, 1960 | birth_date = April 29, 1960
| birth_place = ] | birth_place = ]
| death_date = March 12, 2005 (aged 44) | death_date = March 12, 2005 (aged 44)
| death_place = ] | death_place = ]
| cause = ] | cause = ]
| penalty = | penalty =
| date = March 12, 2005 | date = March 12, 2005
| locations = Brookfield, Wisconsin | locations = Brookfield, Wisconsin
| fatalities = 8 (including himself) | fatalities = 8 (including himself)
| injuries = 4 | injuries = 4
| weapons = ] (]) | weapons = ] (])
| motive =
| targets = Congregants of Living Church of God
}} }}


'''Terry Michael Ratzmann''' (April 29, 1960&nbsp;– March 12, 2005)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sortedbyname.com/letter_r/r112701.html|title=RATZMANN, HELEN thru RATZOW, WILLIAM|website=sortedbyname.com|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref> was an American ]er who killed seven members of his Church congregation, the ] (LCG), before committing suicide in ] in 2005. '''Terry Michael Ratzmann''' (April 29, 1960&nbsp;– March 12, 2005)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sortedbyname.com/letter_r/r112701.html|title=RATZMANN, HELEN thru RATZOW, WILLIAM|website=sortedbyname.com|access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref> was an American ]er who killed seven members of a ] (LCG) church congregation at a ] in 2005, in ], before committing suicide. Prior to the shooting, he had been a member of the church.


== Background == == Background ==
Previously living with his mother and sister,<ref>{{cite news|last=Dorfman|first=Dan|title=8 are shot at church gathering|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/world/americas/13iht-shoot.html|work=NYTimes Online|date=March 13, 2005 |publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> Ratzmann was known as an avid gardener who often shared his homegrown produce with the church congregation and had a passion for carnivorous plants.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ratzmann |first=Terry |title=Carnivorous Plants! |url=http://my.execpc.com/~traven/ |work=RavenWood Farms Home Page |publisher=Archive of Ratzmann's personal website |accessdate=24 January 2012 |url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040830092307/http://my.execpc.com/~traven/ |archivedate=August 30, 2004 }}</ref> He was a computer technician with a placement firm and his contract was ending.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilgoren|first=Jodi|title=Police Search for Answers in Wisconsin Shooting|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/national/13cnd-milwaukee.html|work=NYTimes Online|date=March 13, 2005|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> Ratzmann was known to suffer from bouts of ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilgoren|first=Jodi|title=After Shootings in Wisconsin, a Community Asks 'Why?'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/14/national/14milwaukee.html|work=NYTimes Online|date=March 14, 2005|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> and was reportedly infuriated by a ] the minister had given two weeks earlier.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilgoren|first=Jodi|title=Police Focus on Religion in Milwaukee Shootings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/national/15milwaukee.html?pagewanted=print&position=|work=NYTimes Online|date=March 15, 2005|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> Ratzmann lived with his mother and sister<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dorfman|first1=Dan |last2=Wilgoren |first2=Jodi|title=Gunman Kills 7 in Church Group Near Milwaukee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/world/americas/13iht-shoot.html |work=] |date=March 13, 2005 |accessdate=January 6, 2025}}</ref> and was an avid gardener who often shared his homegrown produce with the church congregation and had a passion for carnivorous plants.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ratzmann |first=Terry |title=Carnivorous Plants! |url=http://my.execpc.com/~traven/ |work=RavenWood Farms Home Page (Ratzmann's personal website) |accessdate=January 24, 2012 |url-status = dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040830092307/http://my.execpc.com/~traven/ |archivedate=August 30, 2004 }}</ref> He had ] (a chronic ]) and a ] (a mild congenital heart abnormality), and was missing part of three fingers on his left hand as the result of a much earlier injury.<ref name=JournalAutopsy>{{cite web|title=Medical examiner releases autopsy findings|url=http://www.thejournal.org/issues/issue99/autopsy.html|work=The Journal: News of the Churches of God|accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref> He was a computer technician with a placement firm, and his contract was ending.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilgoren|first=Jodi|title=Police Search for Answers in Wisconsin Shooting|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/national/13cnd-milwaukee.html |work=] |date=March 13, 2005|accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref>
Ratzmann was known to suffer from bouts of ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilgoren|first=Jodi|title=After Shootings in Wisconsin, a Community Asks 'Why?'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/14/national/14milwaukee.html |work=] |date=March 14, 2005 |accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref> and was reportedly infuriated by a ] the minister had given two weeks earlier.{{clarify |date=January 2025 |reason=What was that sermon about, and what part of it upset him?}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Wilgoren|first=Jodi|title=Police Focus on Religion in Milwaukee Shootings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/15/national/15milwaukee.html?pagewanted=print&position= |work=] |date=March 15, 2005|accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref>

== Shooting == == Shooting ==
Ratzmann had left the ] building 20 minutes earlier. He then returned carrying a ] ] and fired 22 rounds into the ] congregation, killing the ] and six others, including the minister's son. Four others, including the minister's wife, were wounded, one critically. Ratzmann shot and killed himself midway through the second of the three ] he had brought with him.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} The ] congregation was gathered at a Sheraton hotel building. Ratzmann left the group and then returned 20 minutes later carrying a ], and fired 22 rounds into the congregation, killing the ] and six others, including the minister's son. Four others, including the minister's wife, were wounded, one critically. Ratzmann shot and killed himself midway through the second of the three ] he had brought with him.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}


The incident focused national attention on the teachings and legacy of ], the ] and LCG's leader ]<ref>{{cite news|last=Banerjee|first=Neela|title=Rampage Puts Spotlight on a Church Community|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/national/18church.html|work=NYTimes Online|date=March 18, 2005|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> and the police investigated religious issues as potential motives for the shooting, though no official conclusion has been reached.<ref>{{cite news|title=Motive Still Unclear in Milwaukee Church Shooting|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/03/national/03rampage.html|agency=Associated Press|work=The New York Times|date=August 3, 2005|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> The incident focused national attention on the teachings and legacy of ], the ] and LCG's leader ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Banerjee|first=Neela|title=Rampage Puts Spotlight on a Church Community|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/national/18church.html |work=] |date=March 18, 2005|accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref> and the police investigated religious issues as a potential motive for the shooting, but his motivation remained unclear.<ref>{{cite news|title=Motive Still Unclear in Milwaukee Church Shooting|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/03/national/03rampage.html |work=] |agency=] |date=August 3, 2005|accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref>


=== Victims === === Victims ===
* Pastor Randy Gregory, 50 * Pastor Randy Gregory, 50
* James Gregory, 16 * James Gregory, 16
* Harold Diekmeier, 72<ref>{{cite news|last=Dorfman|first=Dan|title=Gunman Kills 7 in Wisconsin Church Group|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/national/13milwaukee.html|work=NYTimes Online|date=March 13, 2005|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> * Harold Diekmeier, 72<ref>{{cite news|last=Dorfman|first=Dan|title=Gunman Kills 7 in Wisconsin Church Group|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/national/13milwaukee.html |work=] |date=March 13, 2005|accessdate=January 24, 2012}}</ref>
* Gloria Critari, 55 * Gloria Critari, 55
* Bart Oliver, 15 * Bart Oliver, 15
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=== Aftermath === === Aftermath ===
During the police search of the house that Ratzmann shared with his mother and sister, a ], ammunition and three computers were taken away. During the police search of the house that Ratzmann shared with his mother and sister, a ], ammunition, and three computers were taken away.

The March 13 ] revealed that Ratzmann was suffering from ] as well as a mild congenital heart abnormality, and was missing part of three fingers on his left hand, the result of a much earlier injury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Medical examiner releases autopsy findings|url=http://www.thejournal.org/issues/issue99/autopsy.html|work=The Journal|publisher=News of the Churches of God|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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Latest revision as of 22:17, 6 January 2025

American mass murderer
A request that this article title be changed to 2005 Living Church of God shooting is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed.

Terry Ratzmann
BornTerry Michael Ratzmann
April 29, 1960
New Berlin, Wisconsin
DiedMarch 12, 2005 (aged 44)
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Cause of deathSuicide
OccupationComputer technician
Details
DateMarch 12, 2005
Location(s)Brookfield, Wisconsin
Target(s)Congregants of Living Church of God
Killed8 (including himself)
Injured4
WeaponsBeretta 92FS (9mm)

Terry Michael Ratzmann (April 29, 1960 – March 12, 2005) was an American mass murderer who killed seven members of a Living Church of God (LCG) church congregation at a Sheraton Hotel in 2005, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, before committing suicide. Prior to the shooting, he had been a member of the church.

Background

Ratzmann lived with his mother and sister and was an avid gardener who often shared his homegrown produce with the church congregation and had a passion for carnivorous plants. He had Hashimoto's thyroiditis (a chronic autoimmune disease) and a bicuspid aortic valve (a mild congenital heart abnormality), and was missing part of three fingers on his left hand as the result of a much earlier injury. He was a computer technician with a placement firm, and his contract was ending.

Ratzmann was known to suffer from bouts of depression, and was reportedly infuriated by a sermon the minister had given two weeks earlier.

Shooting

The Living Church of God congregation was gathered at a Sheraton hotel building. Ratzmann left the group and then returned 20 minutes later carrying a 9mm Beretta handgun, and fired 22 rounds into the congregation, killing the minister and six others, including the minister's son. Four others, including the minister's wife, were wounded, one critically. Ratzmann shot and killed himself midway through the second of the three magazines he had brought with him.

The incident focused national attention on the teachings and legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong, the Worldwide Church of God and LCG's leader Roderick C. Meredith, and the police investigated religious issues as a potential motive for the shooting, but his motivation remained unclear.

Victims

  • Pastor Randy Gregory, 50
  • James Gregory, 16
  • Harold Diekmeier, 72
  • Gloria Critari, 55
  • Bart Oliver, 15
  • Richard Reeves, 58
  • Gerald Miller, 44

Aftermath

During the police search of the house that Ratzmann shared with his mother and sister, a .22 rifle, ammunition, and three computers were taken away.

See also

References

  1. "RATZMANN, HELEN thru RATZOW, WILLIAM". sortedbyname.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  2. Dorfman, Dan; Wilgoren, Jodi (March 13, 2005). "Gunman Kills 7 in Church Group Near Milwaukee". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  3. Ratzmann, Terry. "Carnivorous Plants!". RavenWood Farms Home Page (Ratzmann's personal website). Archived from the original on August 30, 2004. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  4. "Medical examiner releases autopsy findings". The Journal: News of the Churches of God. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  5. Wilgoren, Jodi (March 13, 2005). "Police Search for Answers in Wisconsin Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  6. Wilgoren, Jodi (March 14, 2005). "After Shootings in Wisconsin, a Community Asks 'Why?'". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  7. Wilgoren, Jodi (March 15, 2005). "Police Focus on Religion in Milwaukee Shootings". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  8. Banerjee, Neela (March 18, 2005). "Rampage Puts Spotlight on a Church Community". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  9. "Motive Still Unclear in Milwaukee Church Shooting". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 3, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  10. Dorfman, Dan (March 13, 2005). "Gunman Kills 7 in Wisconsin Church Group". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
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