Terry Ratzmann and the 2005 Brookfield, Wisconsin Church Shooting
Overview
On March 12, 2005, 44-year-old Terry Michael Ratzmann opened fire during a Living Church of God service held at a Sheraton hotel in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He killed seven congregants—including the minister—wounded four others, and then died by suicide. The shooting began at approximately 12:50 p.m., about twenty minutes after the Sabbath service had started.
The Crime
Ratzmann entered the meeting room where the congregation was gathered and, using a 9mm Beretta 92FS pistol, fired 22 rounds in roughly a minute. Witness accounts and subsequent reporting indicate he first shot the pastor and members of the pastor’s family before turning the weapon on other congregants. He reloaded once, continued shooting, and then shot himself. Police later recovered additional ammunition and searched the home he shared with family members as they sought a motive.
Date, Time, and Location
- Date: March 12, 2005 (Sabbath service)
- Time: Shooting began around 12:50 p.m. local time
- Location: Living Church of God congregation meeting at the Sheraton Hotel, Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA
These details have been consistently documented in official summaries and contemporary news coverage.
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Account
