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| {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}} | ||
| {{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 – 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 – 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) in a ] ]<ref name=":0" />, before committing suicide in ] in 2005. | ||
| == Background == | == Background == | ||
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| 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}} | 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 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 Voice of America House of Worship Shooting Database determined that Ratzmann was motivated by anti-Christian Sentiment<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahid |first=Sharon |title=VOA Special Report {{!}} History of mass shooters {{!}} House of Worship shootings |url=https://projects.voanews.com/mass-shootings/english/locations/worship.html |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=projects.voanews.com |language=en}}</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=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 Voice of America House of Worship Shooting Database determined that Ratzmann was motivated by anti-Christian Sentiment<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shahid |first=Sharon |title=VOA Special Report {{!}} History of mass shooters {{!}} House of Worship shootings |url=https://projects.voanews.com/mass-shootings/english/locations/worship.html |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=projects.voanews.com |language=en}}</ref>. | ||
| === Victims === | === Victims === | ||
Revision as of 19:21, 5 September 2024
American mass murderer
| Terry Ratzmann | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Terry Michael Ratzmann April 29, 1960 New Berlin, Wisconsin |
| Died | March 12, 2005 (aged 44) Brookfield, Wisconsin |
| Cause of death | Suicide |
| Occupation | Computer technician |
| Motive | Anti-Christian Sentiment |
| Details | |
| Date | March 12, 2005 |
| Location(s) | Brookfield, Wisconsin |
| Target(s) | Congregants of Living Church of God |
| Killed | 8 (including himself) |
| Injured | 4 |
| Weapons | Beretta 92FS (9mm) |
Terry Michael Ratzmann (April 29, 1960 – March 12, 2005) was an American mass murderer who killed seven members of his Church congregation, the Living Church of God (LCG) in a anti-Christian hate crime, before committing suicide in Brookfield, Wisconsin in 2005.
Background
Previously living with his mother and sister, Ratzmann was known as an avid gardener who often shared his homegrown produce with the church congregation and had a passion for carnivorous plants. 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
Ratzmann had left the Sheraton Hotel building 20 minutes earlier. He then returned carrying a 9mm Beretta handgun and fired 22 rounds into the Living Church of God 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 potential motives for the shooting, though no official conclusion has been reached. The Voice of America House of Worship Shooting Database determined that Ratzmann was motivated by anti-Christian Sentiment.
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.
The March 13 autopsy revealed that Ratzmann was suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis 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.
See also
References
- "RATZMANN, HELEN thru RATZOW, WILLIAM". sortedbyname.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ Shahid, Sharon. "VOA Special Report | History of mass shooters | House of Worship shootings". projects.voanews.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- Dorfman, Dan (March 13, 2005). "8 are shot at church gathering". NYTimes Online. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Ratzmann, Terry. "Carnivorous Plants!". RavenWood Farms Home Page. Archive of Ratzmann's personal website. Archived from the original on August 30, 2004. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Wilgoren, Jodi (March 13, 2005). "Police Search for Answers in Wisconsin Shooting". NYTimes Online. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Wilgoren, Jodi (March 14, 2005). "After Shootings in Wisconsin, a Community Asks 'Why?'". NYTimes Online. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Wilgoren, Jodi (March 15, 2005). "Police Focus on Religion in Milwaukee Shootings". NYTimes Online. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Banerjee, Neela (March 18, 2005). "Rampage Puts Spotlight on a Church Community". NYTimes Online. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- "Motive Still Unclear in Milwaukee Church Shooting". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 3, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Dorfman, Dan (March 13, 2005). "Gunman Kills 7 in Wisconsin Church Group". NYTimes Online. The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- "Medical examiner releases autopsy findings". The Journal. News of the Churches of God. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- 1960 births
- 2005 mass shootings in the United States
- 2005 murders in the United States
- 2005 suicides
- 2005 deaths
- 21st-century American criminals
- American mass murderers
- American murderers of children
- Attacks in the United States in 2005
- Crimes in Wisconsin
- Mass murder in 2005
- Mass shootings in Wisconsin
- Murder–suicides in Wisconsin
- People from New Berlin, Wisconsin
- Suicides by firearm in Wisconsin