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| 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 |
| 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 at the Living Church of God (LCG) in 2005, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, before committing suicide.
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. Ratzmann had Hashimoto's thyroiditis and a bicuspid aortic valve (a mild congenital heart abnormality). He 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 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 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
- "RATZMANN, HELEN thru RATZOW, WILLIAM". sortedbyname.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Dorfman, Dan; Wilgoren, Jodi (March 13, 2005). "Gunman Kills 7 in Church Group Near Milwaukee". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- Ratzmann, Terry. "Carnivorous Plants!". RavenWood Farms Home Page (Ratzmann's personal website). Archived from the original on August 30, 2004. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- ^ "Medical examiner releases autopsy findings". The Journal: News of the Churches of God. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Wilgoren, Jodi (March 13, 2005). "Police Search for Answers in Wisconsin Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Wilgoren, Jodi (March 14, 2005). "After Shootings in Wisconsin, a Community Asks 'Why?'". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Wilgoren, Jodi (March 15, 2005). "Police Focus on Religion in Milwaukee Shootings". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
- Banerjee, Neela (March 18, 2005). "Rampage Puts Spotlight on a Church Community". 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". The New York Times. 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