Terry Michael Ratzmann

Terry Michael Ratzmann was born on April 29, 1960, in the United States. By middle age, he lived in Wisconsin with his mother and sister, maintaining a largely private life marked by ongoing health issues and emotional instability. He worked as a computer technician through a placement firm, though his employment contract was nearing its end in early 2005, a situation that reportedly added to his stress.

Ratzmann suffered from multiple documented medical conditions, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect energy levels and mood, and a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital heart abnormality. He was also missing parts of three fingers on his left hand as the result of a much earlier injury.

At the time of the shooting, Ratzmann was a member of the Living Church of God (LCG), a Christian denomination that traces its roots to the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and the former Worldwide Church of God. According to investigators, Ratzmann had become increasingly angry over religious disagreements within the church.

The Living Church of God shooting occurred on March 12, 2005, during a church service held at a Sheraton hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where the congregation regularly met. The service had begun at approximately 12:30 p.m., and worshippers were seated when the attack began.

Ratzmann arrived at the hotel and entered the service approximately 20 minutes after it began, carrying a 9mm Beretta handgun and multiple loaded magazines. Without warning, he opened fire on the congregation. Over the course of roughly one minute, Ratzmann fired 22 rounds, methodically shooting into the gathered worshippers.

Among those killed was Pastor Randy Lynn Gregory, aged 51, who was leading the service, as well as his 16‑year‑old son, James Isaac Gregory. The other victims were Harold Leroy Diekmeier (74), Gloria Sue Critari (55), Bart Jameson Oliver (15), Richard Wayne Reeves (58), and Gerald Anthony Miller (44). Four additional individuals were wounded, including the pastor’s wife, who suffered critical injuries but survived.

Witnesses later reported that Ratzmann emptied a 13‑round magazine, reloaded, and continued firing before turning the gun on himself. He died by self‑inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, leaving unused ammunition in his remaining magazines. The attack ended as abruptly as it began, leaving the congregation in shock and the hotel transformed into a crime scene.

Police quickly secured the area and launched an investigation. A search of the home Ratzmann shared with his family uncovered .22‑caliber ammunition and three computers, which were examined for evidence related to motive. Authorities stated that there was no indication of accomplices.

As the investigation progressed, law enforcement officials confirmed that they were increasingly focused on religion as the primary motive, noting that members of the pastor’s family appeared to have been deliberately targeted.