Terry Ratzmann
Mass Shooting at Church
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Brookfield, Wisconsin
TIME PERIOD
March 12, 2005
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
The 2005 Living Church of God shooting occurred on March 12, 2005, at approximately 12:50 p.m. during a service at a Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where the perpetrator, Terry Ratzmann, opened fire with a 9mm Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistol. Ratzmann, a former member of the congregation, killed eight individuals, including Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory and his son, James Isaac Gregory, while injuring four others, before committing suicide. The investigation revealed that Ratzmann had been experiencing depression and was reportedly angered by a sermon delivered two weeks prior, leading authorities to classify the incident as a religious hate crime. As of now, the case remains a significant point of discussion regarding the intersection of mental health and religious extremism, with ongoing analysis of the motivations behind the attack.
Terry Ratzmann's shooting is believed to have been motivated by anti-Christian sentiment, particularly in response to a sermon that angered him. Investigators and the public have speculated that Ratzmann's mental health issues, including depression, may have contributed to his violent actions. Additionally, some theories suggest that his personal circumstances, such as his impending job loss, played a role in his decision to commit the mass shooting.
The 2005 Living Church of God Tragedy
On a chilly afternoon in March 2005, the quiet town of Brookfield, Wisconsin, became the epicenter of a chilling mass shooting that would leave an indelible mark on the community. The Living Church of God congregation, gathering for a routine service at the Sheraton Hotel, was about to face an unimaginable horror. The perpetrator, Terry Ratzmann, a long-time member of the church himself, unleashed a deadly attack that claimed eight lives, including his own, and injured four others.
Background of the Perpetrator
Terry M. Ratzmann was an unassuming figure to those who knew him. Born on April 29, 1960, he lived a quiet life with his mother and sister, battling personal demons. Ratzmann had Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a chronic autoimmune disease, and a bicuspid aortic valve, a mild congenital heart defect. He also bore the physical scars of an old injury, missing parts of three fingers on his left hand. Professionally, he worked as a computer technician for a placement firm, but his contract was nearing its end—a fact that weighed heavily on him.
Despite his seemingly ordinary life, Ratzmann struggled with bouts of depression. His mental state took a darker turn after a sermon at the church two weeks prior to the shooting left him infuriated. This sermon, whose details remain unclear, seemed to ignite a simmering rage within him.
The Day of the Shooting
It was March 12, 2005, at precisely 12:50 p.m., when Ratzmann entered the Sheraton hotel's conference room, where the Living Church of God congregation had been gathered for twenty minutes. Armed with a 9mm Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistol, he opened fire on the unsuspecting congregants. In a terrifying minute, he discharged 22 bullets, killing seven people, including the church's minister and his teenage son, James Isaac Gregory. Among the victims were Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory, aged 51, Harold Leroy Diekmeier, 74, Gloria Sue Critari, 55, Bart Jameson Oliver, 15, Richard Wayne Reeves, 58, and Gerald Anthony Miller, 44.
As chaos erupted, four others, including the pastor's wife, suffered injuries, with her condition being particularly critical. After emptying a 13-round magazine, Ratzmann reloaded and fired additional shots before turning the gun on himself, leaving four rounds in the second magazine of the three he had brought.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the shooting was a scene of devastation and confusion. The police swiftly moved to search Ratzmann's home, which he shared with his mother and sister. There, they discovered .22 caliber ammunition and retrieved three computers, hoping to find clues to his motivation.
The incident drew national attention, casting a spotlight on the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder of the Worldwide Church of God, and Roderick C. Meredith, leader of the Living Church of God. Investigators honed in on religion as a potential motive, particularly given that the pastor's family had seemed to be specifically targeted. The Voice of America identified the attack as one of five religious hate-motivated shootings in U.S. houses of worship.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community was left grappling with questions of how such violence could find its way into their peaceful lives.
Sources
For further information, please see the original Wikipedia article.
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Terry Ratzmann opens fire during a church service, killing 7 and injuring 4 before committing suicide.
Victims Identified
The victims include Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory and his son, among others.
Investigation Begins
Police start investigating the shooting, focusing on religious motives and the perpetrator's background.
Police Focus on Religion
Authorities confirm they are increasingly focused on religious issues as a motive for the shooting.
Community Response
The local community begins to process the tragedy, with discussions on the impact of the shooting.
Ratzmann's Background Revealed
Details emerge about Terry Ratzmann's mental health issues and anger over a recent sermon.
National Attention
The shooting draws national media attention, highlighting issues of religious hate crimes.
Investigation Concludes
Authorities officially conclude the investigation into the shooting, confirming the religious motive.
The 2005 Living Church of God shooting occurred on March 12, 2005, at approximately 12:50 p.m. during a service at a Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where the perpetrator, Terry Ratzmann, opened fire with a 9mm Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistol. Ratzmann, a former member of the congregation, killed eight individuals, including Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory and his son, James Isaac Gregory, while injuring four others, before committing suicide. The investigation revealed that Ratzmann had been experiencing depression and was reportedly angered by a sermon delivered two weeks prior, leading authorities to classify the incident as a religious hate crime. As of now, the case remains a significant point of discussion regarding the intersection of mental health and religious extremism, with ongoing analysis of the motivations behind the attack.
Terry Ratzmann's shooting is believed to have been motivated by anti-Christian sentiment, particularly in response to a sermon that angered him. Investigators and the public have speculated that Ratzmann's mental health issues, including depression, may have contributed to his violent actions. Additionally, some theories suggest that his personal circumstances, such as his impending job loss, played a role in his decision to commit the mass shooting.
The 2005 Living Church of God Tragedy
On a chilly afternoon in March 2005, the quiet town of Brookfield, Wisconsin, became the epicenter of a chilling mass shooting that would leave an indelible mark on the community. The Living Church of God congregation, gathering for a routine service at the Sheraton Hotel, was about to face an unimaginable horror. The perpetrator, Terry Ratzmann, a long-time member of the church himself, unleashed a deadly attack that claimed eight lives, including his own, and injured four others.
Background of the Perpetrator
Terry M. Ratzmann was an unassuming figure to those who knew him. Born on April 29, 1960, he lived a quiet life with his mother and sister, battling personal demons. Ratzmann had Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a chronic autoimmune disease, and a bicuspid aortic valve, a mild congenital heart defect. He also bore the physical scars of an old injury, missing parts of three fingers on his left hand. Professionally, he worked as a computer technician for a placement firm, but his contract was nearing its end—a fact that weighed heavily on him.
Despite his seemingly ordinary life, Ratzmann struggled with bouts of depression. His mental state took a darker turn after a sermon at the church two weeks prior to the shooting left him infuriated. This sermon, whose details remain unclear, seemed to ignite a simmering rage within him.
The Day of the Shooting
It was March 12, 2005, at precisely 12:50 p.m., when Ratzmann entered the Sheraton hotel's conference room, where the Living Church of God congregation had been gathered for twenty minutes. Armed with a 9mm Beretta 92FS semi-automatic pistol, he opened fire on the unsuspecting congregants. In a terrifying minute, he discharged 22 bullets, killing seven people, including the church's minister and his teenage son, James Isaac Gregory. Among the victims were Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory, aged 51, Harold Leroy Diekmeier, 74, Gloria Sue Critari, 55, Bart Jameson Oliver, 15, Richard Wayne Reeves, 58, and Gerald Anthony Miller, 44.
As chaos erupted, four others, including the pastor's wife, suffered injuries, with her condition being particularly critical. After emptying a 13-round magazine, Ratzmann reloaded and fired additional shots before turning the gun on himself, leaving four rounds in the second magazine of the three he had brought.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the shooting was a scene of devastation and confusion. The police swiftly moved to search Ratzmann's home, which he shared with his mother and sister. There, they discovered .22 caliber ammunition and retrieved three computers, hoping to find clues to his motivation.
The incident drew national attention, casting a spotlight on the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder of the Worldwide Church of God, and Roderick C. Meredith, leader of the Living Church of God. Investigators honed in on religion as a potential motive, particularly given that the pastor's family had seemed to be specifically targeted. The Voice of America identified the attack as one of five religious hate-motivated shootings in U.S. houses of worship.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community was left grappling with questions of how such violence could find its way into their peaceful lives.
Sources
For further information, please see the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Terry Ratzmann opens fire during a church service, killing 7 and injuring 4 before committing suicide.
Victims Identified
The victims include Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory and his son, among others.
Investigation Begins
Police start investigating the shooting, focusing on religious motives and the perpetrator's background.
Police Focus on Religion
Authorities confirm they are increasingly focused on religious issues as a motive for the shooting.
Community Response
The local community begins to process the tragedy, with discussions on the impact of the shooting.
Ratzmann's Background Revealed
Details emerge about Terry Ratzmann's mental health issues and anger over a recent sermon.
National Attention
The shooting draws national media attention, highlighting issues of religious hate crimes.
Investigation Concludes
Authorities officially conclude the investigation into the shooting, confirming the religious motive.