Terry Ratzmann
Encyclopedia
Terry Michael Ratzmann was an American
mass murder
er who killed seven members of the Living Church of God
before committing suicide
at a Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin
in 2005.
, and was reportedly infuriated by a sermon
the minister had given two weeks earlier.
and fired 22 rounds into the Living Church of God
congregation, killing the minister
and six others including the minister's son. Four others were wounded; one critically. Ratzmann shot and killed himself midway through the second out of three magazines.
, ammunition and three computers were taken away.
The March 13 autopsy
revealed that Ratzmann was suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis
, a mild congenital heart abnormality and was missing part of three fingers on his left hand, the result of a much earlier injury.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
mass murder
Mass murder
Mass murder is the act of murdering a large number of people , typically at the same time or over a relatively short period of time. According to the FBI, mass murder is defined as four or more murders occurring during a particular event with no cooling-off period between the murders...
er who killed seven members of the Living Church of God
Living Church of God
The Living Church of God is one of the church groups formed by followers of the teachings of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. It was formed as a series of major doctrinal changes were introduced in the Worldwide Church of God after Armstrong's death in 1986...
before committing suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
at a Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Brookfield is a city located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 37,920 in the 2010 census. Brookfield is the second largest city in Waukesha County, and the leading commercial suburb of Milwaukee. The City of Brookfield was formed in 1954 from the Town of...
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. On the verge of losing his job as a computer technician with a placement firm, Ratzmann was known to suffer from bouts of depressionClinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, and was reportedly infuriated by a sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
the minister had given two weeks earlier.
Shooting
Ratzmann had left the Sheraton Hotel building 20 minutes earlier. He then returned carrying a 9mm handgunHandgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
and fired 22 rounds into the Living Church of God
Living Church of God
The Living Church of God is one of the church groups formed by followers of the teachings of the late Herbert W. Armstrong. It was formed as a series of major doctrinal changes were introduced in the Worldwide Church of God after Armstrong's death in 1986...
congregation, killing the minister
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
and six others including the minister's son. Four others were wounded; one critically. Ratzmann shot and killed himself midway through the second out of three magazines.
Victims
- Pastor Randy Gregory, 50
- James Gregory, 17
- Harold Diekmeier, 74
- 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.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
, ammunition and three computers were taken away.
The March 13 autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
revealed that Ratzmann was suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed by a variety of cell- and antibody-mediated immune processes. It was the first disease to be recognized as an autoimmune disease...
, a mild congenital heart abnormality and was missing part of three fingers on his left hand, the result of a much earlier injury.
External links
- Archive of Ratzmann's personal website
- 8 dead, 4 wounded as New Berlin man opens fire in church meeting
- Gunman Kills 7 in Wisconsin Church Group, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(March 13, 2005) - Police Search for Answers in Wisconsin Shooting, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(March 13, 2005) - 8 are shot at church gathering, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(March 14, 2005) - After Shootings in Wisconsin, a Community Asks 'Why?', The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(March 14, 2005) - Police Focus on Religion in Milwaukee Shootings, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(March 15, 2005) - Rampage Puts Spotlight on a Church Community, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(March 18, 2005) - Motive Still Unclear in Milwaukee Church Shooting, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
(August 3, 2005)