DEATH CAME TO CHURCH ONE DAY Organizational violence stalks the devout An analysis of the Brookfield, Wisconsin Church shooting By Larry J. Chavez, BA, MPA Updated: 3/20/2005 2:05 p.m. Copyright 2005 Critical Incident Associates, all rights Reserved On Saturday, March 12, 2005, Terry Ratzmann fired a volley of bullets into members of his congregation during a service of the Living Church of God in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He killed 7 and wounded 4 before turning the gun on himself. The entire incident was over in one minute. This very sad case was not much different than other instances of organizational violence that have occurred across the country. It is clear from the press statements of those who knew Terry Ratzmann best say that he wanted, more than anything, to have a normal life. To Ratzmann, this meant being gainfully employed and having a family of his own. Terry Ratzmann, at age 44, had neither. FACING LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT Frustrating Ratzmann’s efforts toward a normal life was the loss of his job at Quest Technologies in March 2002. Being low in seniority, Ratzmann was one of the first to be laid off when the job crunch occurred following the events of September 11, 2001. Ratzmann then resorted to an employment agency, Adecco, who placed him in a computer technology job with GE Health Care. But, according to news accounts, the contract with Adecco and GE Health Care was on the verge of expiring. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309633.asp) NORMAL FAMILY LIFE ELUDED TERRY RATZMANN Another source of pain in Ratzmann’s life, according to witnesses, was that he, at age 44, was without a mate therefore without the normal family life he desired. Ratzmann made every effort to seek out a mate within the strict rules of his church that, according to church members, discouraged seeking mates from outside the congregation. This was a further source of depression for Ratzmann. “The 44-year-old Ratzmann would use the church's annual ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ in September or October to meet and possibly find a mate at different celebrations around the country, said Chandra Frazier of Milwaukee. ‘He would go from feast site to feast site to see if he could find someone interested in him,’ but apparently did not, said Frazier. ‘It was kind of sad,’ she said. ‘He was doing it to find a wife.’“ (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309994.asp) “Because local congregations are small - the Milwaukee-area group has about 80 members - dating other church members effectively is limited to the ‘Festival of Tabernacles,’ when singles can meet each other, she (Chandra Frazier) said. Dating non-church members is discouraged.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309994.asp) “Being single was one sore point for Ratzmann, who lacked social skills,’ Patrick said. Patrick and others said the church does not allow its members to date non-members, making its group for singles, in effect, the sole pool from which to draw prospective mates. He's a single guy. You can't date anyone out of the church, and you're in a church of 80 people where the members are 50 years and up,’ Patrick said. ‘Not a good situation.’” (Statement of acquaintance David Patrick of Versailles, Kentucky from the March 14, 2005, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) “Ratzmann's failure to find a wife or girlfriend caused him much pain in recent years, local church members Mark and Natalie Lorenz said Tuesday. Neither could recall a time when Ratzmann was dating. "He wanted a wife in the worst way," Mark Lorenz said. That was depressing for Ratzmann, especially in a church that places so much focus on family and marriage, Mark Lorenz said,” in a statement of friends Mark and Natalie Lorenz. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309994.asp) RATZMANN’S DEPRESSION WAS WELL KNOWN A number of members of the congregation knew that Ratzmann had periods of deep depression wherein he would withdraw from those closest to him cutting off communication. The church hierarchy also knew that but, with a philosophy that “people’s problems are of their own doing,” it is easy to see that little if anything was done to assist Ratzmann when he needed it the most. At the time Ratzmann needed counseling the most, it was not forthcoming. According to a witnesses in the church, “The Living Church of God is not the kind of system where you could get counseling and get help...” (quote of David Patrick of Versailles, Kentucky, an acquaintance of Ratzmann, from the March 14, 2005, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Another church member, Chandra Frazier said in a recent article, “It was well-known in the local congregation that Ratzmann suffered from depression, Frazier said. But she said church teachings strongly discourage members from consulting with psychiatrists or other therapists to deal with emotional problems. The church similarly frowns on the use of mood-altering medications, especially more powerful anti-psychotic drugs, said Frazier, believing they ‘weaken your mind’ and make one ‘susceptible to demons,’ she said.” (Quote of Chandra Frazier of Milwaukee, an acquaintance of Ratzmann, from the March 14, 2005, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “’I can't say that the church's teachings were the lone factor that caused the rampage, but I'm certain that it was a variable,’ said Frazier, who said she was so rattled that she has decided to leave the church. ‘The church does not allow people to seek out help with psychotherapy and psychotherapists, because they say it's the devil's work. So, we have a lot of people like Terry in the church who are denying their problems instead of getting the help they need,’” Frazier said. ("Church role in shootings questioned" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 2005) "I submit it's a miracle this guy lasted as long as he did," the spokesman, Thomas Geiger, said in an interview…”Although Ratzmann, 44, went through what Geiger called a ‘bout’ of suicidal depression, he said church members generally felt that Ratzmann's tendency toward depression wasn't that serious.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/310250.asp) THE PAINFUL WORDS OF THE FEBRUARY 26 SERMON On February 26, in the last church service that Ratzmann attended prior to the shooting incident, he listened to a pre-recorded sermon that said, in pertinent part, that “peoples' problems are of their own doing,” Ratzmann was assigned to give the closing prayer on this occasion, an obligation he never refused. “In that Feb. 26 service, a taped sermon focused on how bad fortune befalls those who make ungodly choices, according to a parishioner who was there and had known Ratzmann for years.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp) "Your problem is you're not praying enough, fasting enough, serving enough," David Patrick summarized the church's message as saying.” (Statement of acquaintance David Patrick of Versailles, Kentucky from the March 14, 2005, editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) “Those closest to Ratzmann saw him abruptly and angrily storm out of the church upon hearing the words of this particular sermon on February 26.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp). Police Captain Horter said Ratzmann had given the closing prayer before and had left a service early, but witnesses said he had never walked out on his obligation to give the prayer. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp) MISSED CHURCH SERVICE THE FOLLOWING WEEK “Uncharacteristic of Terry Ratzmann” The church met every Saturday. Terry Ratzmann, uncharacteristically missed the March 5th church service, the week following the February 26 meeting in which he walked out. “…She (Ella Frazier) found it strange when Ratzmann, who attended services conscientiously, didn't show up (for the March 5 service) …” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/mar05/309366.asp) Unusual: “Ratzmann did not come to the March 5 service, parishioners said. He came early on Saturday, but then left, and police aren't sure why,” Police Captain Phil Horter said. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp) Ratzmann was so conscientious about church attendance that he actually turned down an invitation to the wedding of his neighbor Shane Colwell. "…We invited him and his mother to our wedding, and he said he couldn't make it, he had to go to church on Saturday," he said. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309178.asp) PRIOR TO THE SHOOTING Terry Ratzmann received a painful reminder of the events February 26. A local spokesman for the Living Church of God, Thomas Geiger commented on something that occurred just prior to the church service on the morning of the massacre, something that appeared to adversely affect Terry Ratzmann. This was Ratzmann’s first contact with the congregation since walking out angrily on the February 26 meeting two weeks earlier. On this occasion, Thomas Geiger’s sister approached Ratzmann just prior to the March 12 service. “Ratzmann arrived at a Brookfield hotel before his church's service Saturday, carrying a Bible in a briefcase and speaking to fellow parishioners,” (authorities revealed). (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp) “Geiger said Ratzmann did react inappropriately to a joking comment made by his (Geiger's) sister before Saturday's service, in which she teased him about having walked out early Feb. 26. Ratzmann's face reddened, his jaw clenched and he turned away without saying anything, Geiger said.” (Statement of Thomas Geiger, from an interview, by Steve Schultze, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 16, 2005) “Ratzmann left for home, where he apparently exchanged his Bible for his Beretta 9mm handgun and plenty of ammunition. He returned to the hotel wearing dark sunglasses,” police revealed. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp) “Ratzmann was wearing black sunglasses. When Earnest (Frazier) said hello, Ratzmann grunted and brushed past him (in the hallway outside the meeting room). He didn't take a seat near the Fraziers (where he usually sat) when the service began. He (Ratzmann) didn't take any seat.” This was the statement of Ella Frazier whose husband Earnest encountered Ratzmann in the hallway. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/mar05/309366.asp) THE INCIDENT “Ratzmann walked in 20 minutes late, stood in the back of room and began firing a 9mm handgun. It was pandemonium," said Ella, 61, who dropped to the floor when she realized what was happening. "I looked back and saw the gun and the black sunglasses. The gunshots kept exploding." (http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/mar05/309366.asp) “Ratzmann, who reloaded during the shooting, apparently deliberately shot at Pastor Randy Gregory, his wife and his 16-year-old son. The pastor and his son James, both of Gurnee, Ill., were killed. His wife, Marjean, was sounded.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/309634.asp) A minute later, silence. After firing 21 rounds at others, Ratzmann had turned the gun on himself. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/mar05/309366.asp) Tragically, the woman (Thomas Geiger’s sister) who teased Terry Ratzmann prior to the incident, lost her 15-year-old son in the shooting that followed. (Source: conversation with a JSOnline staff writer) OPINIONS AND CONCLUSIONS In Ratzmann’s mind, he did everything he could to accomplish his goals in life within the limits of his church’s rules and teachings and he still continued to flounder. Ratzmann probably viewed the words of the February 26 sermon as particularly harsh, insensitive and even insulting. It was like rubbing salt in his wounds. Ratzmann left without giving the closing prayer he was assigned. It was probably at this point that Ratzmann’s depression transitioned into anger and animosity toward church officials. The teasing Ratzmann received by Thomas Gieger’s sister on the morning of the incident , served to reinforce his animosity toward church officials and their families. Ratzmann reacted to the comment with a reddened face and clenched jaw. It does not appear that Ratzman’s impending loss of employment played the largest part in the overall circumstances. Even though the contract for his current job was due to expire, it was not unusual for the contract to be renewed. The predominant factor leading to the fatal outcome appeared to be Terry Ratzmann’s relationship with church officials. SIGNIFICANT BACKGROUND ISSUES No counseling when he needed it the most A number of members of the congregation knew that Ratzmann had periods of deep depression wherein he would withdraw from those closest to him and cut off communication. The church hierarchy also knew that but, with a philosophy that “people’s problems are of their own doing,” it is easy to see that little if anything was done to assist Ratzmann when he needed it the most. At the time Ratzmann needed counseling the most, it was not forthcoming. According to a witness in the church, “The Living Church of God is not the kind of system where you could get counseling and get help...” (quote of David Patrick of Versailles, Kentucky, an acquaintance of Ratzmann, from the March 14, 2005, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Another church member, Chandra Frazier said in a recent article, “It was well-known in the local congregation that Ratzmann suffered from depression, Frazier said. But she said church teachings strongly discourage members from consulting with psychiatrists or other therapists to deal with emotional problems. The church similarly frowns on the use of mood-altering medications, especially more powerful anti-psychotic drugs, said Frazier, believing they ‘weaken your mind’ and make one ‘susceptible to demons,’ she said.” (Quote of Chandra Frazier of Milwaukee, an acquaintance of Ratzmann, from the March 14, 2005, edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). “’I can't say that the church's teachings were the lone factor that caused the rampage, but I'm certain that it was a variable,’ said Frazier, who said she was so rattled that she has decided to leave the church. ‘The church does not allow people to seek out help with psychotherapy and psychotherapists, because they say it's the devil's work. So, we have a lot of people like Terry in the church who are denying their problems instead of getting the help they need,’” Frazier said. ("Church role in shootings questioned" Chicago Tribune, March 17, 2005) "I submit it's a miracle this guy lasted as long as he did," the spokesman, Thomas Geiger, said in an interview…”Although Ratzmann, 44, went through what Geiger called a ‘bout’ of suicidal depression, he said church members generally felt that Ratzmann's tendency toward depression wasn't that serious.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/mar05/310250.asp) THE CHURCH’S VIEW Could Terry Ratzman have looked to his church and its leadership for direction and proper counsel? The leadership of The Living Church of God did not view the Ratzmann’s rampage as caused event, the product of depression brought about by Ratzmann’s impending loss of employment coupled with frustration due to his inability to find a life partner within the confines of church norms. (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/mar05/310560.asp) “A Living Church of God leader said in Milwaukee Thursday that Terry Ratzmann's killing spree was a satanic act performed by a normally friendly man…. Walking in and blindly shooting people - is that satanic? Is that evil? Of course, it is," said John Ogwyn, a minister and spokesman for the 7,000-member church.” “He said the church believes in the existence of God, angels, Satan and demons.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/mar05/310560.asp) Outspoken church members Chandra Frazier and David Patrick, spoke with reason when they commented that Terry Ratzmann could not get help within the confines of the Living Church of God. They would not agree with their church hierarchy that Ratzmann was possessed by deamons. Instead, they would likely attribute Ratzmann’s act to the result of chronic depression and anger brought about by years of unresolved personal problems “Ogwyn used Thursday's appearance to counter comments from some local members of the church (Frazier and Patrick) who said members were discouraged from seeking secular treatment for emotional problems. Psychiatric counseling ‘certainly has its place,’ Ogwyn said, and is not banned by the church. The church also has no ban on medication,” he said. “Local members have said those with emotional problems are told to consult first with the local pastor.” (http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/mar05/310560.asp) Ogwyn’s comments appear to be “damage control” in the wake of the incident and poor damage control at that. .RATZMANN’S REVENGE Ratzman clearly viewed the leaders of his congregation as those most responsible for his plight. It probably caused him pain to see the church hierarchy enjoying “normal” lives with their own families while at the same time conveying to him, through the February 26 sermon, that he (Ratzmann) was the source of his own problems. Ratzmann chose to get even and chose to kill the congregation’s leaders and their family members before turning the gun on himself. Ratzmann sought out those specific church officials for execution although stray bullets killed and wounded other individuals. This targeting of individuals is characteristic of most organizational violence cases that have occurred across the country discounting any contention that this is “random violence.” THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR KILLING RESTS WITH THE KILLER BUT SOMETIMES THERE ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS No one doubts that Terry Ratzmann bears the ultimate responsibility for the carnage that occurred that day. It was he who made the conscious decision to deliver death to the congregation instead of the final prayer that he was assigned to recite. But in the mind of the very depressed Terry Ratzmann, it was the church leaders who were obstacles to his happiness as well as being the source of his problems. We know that because Ratzmann chose to target those individuals as well as their families. In essence, if Terry Ratzmann was going to be deprived of a happy life, so were they. What could Terry Ratzmann have done differently? He could have chosen a course of action other than violence. It is very likely that there were other members of the congregation who suffered from extreme depression but who chose to deal with it in way that did not involve violence. Had Ratzmann ignored the rules of his church and sought professional counseling for his depression, he would have been better off, but he might have had to face negative sanctions from the church hierarchy. Apparently Ratzmann was not willing to do that. If Ratzmann would have ignored church rules and gone outside the congregation to find a spouse, he would have satisfied that aspect of his life, but again, he may have had to face negative sanctions of the church hierarchy. Ratzmann made the conscious choice to adhere to the strict and perhaps unreasonable rules of his church. Why? Because Ratzmann, being a member of this congregation for thirty years beginning at the impressionable age of fourteen, probably found it impossible to abandon the teachings of the only faith he knew. What could the church have done differently? It would have been an act of humanity and compassion for church officials to have offered Ratzmann counseling or to at least encourage him to seek treatment outside the church if it was needed. Congregation members who knew Terry Ratzmann best said the church discouraged seeking psychological help outside the church. Church leadership says that’s not the case. The church leadership should have established an atmosphere that made this acceptable. Once established, those who had intimate knowledge of Ratzmann’s depression could have encouraged their friend Terry Ratzmann to seek counseling before his depression became overwhelming. But there was no indication that church officials offered or even encouraged Ratzmann to do so, lending credibility to the press accounts of church members Chandra Frazier and David Patrick, who commented that the church discouraged psychological treatment and the taking of medication. Knowing that having a family is a basic human need, church officials should have allowed and even encouraged its members to go outside the church if necessary to seek out and find a life partner. Knowing that Ratzmann was concerned about this issue specifically, church officials should have counseled him and given him encouragement in seeking out a mate in the fulfillment of this basic human need. Thereafter, they should have offered their blessing and acceptance of the person with whom Ratzmann chose to share his life. That is, after all, what churches are supposed to be all about. We know that Terry Ratzmann made the conscious choice to target and kill church officials although others were killed or wounded because they were in the line of fire. No one would question that the ultimate responsibility for killing rests with the killer. But reasonable people can see that organizations can certainly contribute to a horrifying outcome by things they do or neglect to do.