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 The Living Church of God (LCG) is one of several groups that formed after the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, when major doctrinal changes (causing turmoil and divisions) were occurring in the former Worldwide Church of God (WCG) during the 1990 ...

(LCG), before committing suicide in

Brookfield, Wisconsin Brookfield is a city located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States in the Milwaukee metropolitan area The Milwaukee metropolitan area (also known as Metro Milwaukee or Greater Milwaukee) is a major metropolitan area located in Southeast ...

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 A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, 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

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building 20 minutes earlier. He then returned 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

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he had brought with him. The incident focused national attention on the teachings and legacy of

Herbert W. Armstrong Herbert W. Armstrong (July 31, 1892 – January 16, 1986) was an American evangelist who founded the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). An early pioneer of radio and television evangelism, Armstrong preached what he claimed was the comprehensive ...

, the

Worldwide Church of God Worldwide may refer to: * Pertaining to the entire world * Worldwide (rapper) (born 1986), American rapper * Pitbull (rapper) (born 1981), also known as Mr. Worldwide, American rapper * ''Worldwide'' (Audio Adrenaline album), 2003 * ''Worldwide ...

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.

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 The .22 Long Rifle or simply .22 LR or 22 (metric designation: 5.6×15mmR) is a long-established variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition originating from the United States. It is used in a wide range of rifles, pistols, revolvers, smoo ...

, ammunition and three computers were taken away. The March 13 autopsy revealed that Ratzmann was suffering from

Hashimoto's thyroiditis Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto's disease, is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed. Early on, symptoms may not be noticed. Over time, the thyroid may enlarg ...

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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ratzmann, Terry 1960 births 2005 suicides 21st-century American criminals American mass murderers People from New Berlin, Wisconsin Mass murder in 2005 2005 murders in the United States 2005 mass shootings in the United States Murder–suicides in Wisconsin Suicides by firearm in Wisconsin Crimes in Wisconsin Attacks in the United States in 2005 Mass shootings in Wisconsin American murderers of children

Background

Shooting

Victims

Aftermath

See also

References