Rainess Holmes, a repeat felon, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the 2021 home invasion and shooting death of Rhodes College student Andrew “Drew” Rainer. Holmes, 40, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder, plus an additional nine years for his involvement in three separate burglary cases.
Holmes, with a criminal history dating back to 2005, was one of four men who broke into a Memphis home on the morning of October 3, 2021. The home was occupied by several college students, including Rainer, a 22-year-old senior at Rhodes College. According to Shelby County court records, the suspects kicked in the door and demanded electronics from the students. Rainer was ordered to unlock his iPad, and when he failed to do so, he was shot.
The assailants left the home with several phones, gaming systems, and other electronics. When Memphis police arrived, they found Rainer dead from a gunshot wound at the bottom of a staircase. A resident was able to track the iPad to a hotel, leading authorities to establish a perimeter around the location. Holmes briefly escaped the area, jumping a drainage ditch, but was later apprehended and placed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted list. He was arrested on October 5, 2021.
Though Holmes has been sentenced, Memphis police continue to search for the other three suspects involved in the crime. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to their arrest.
Rainer’s family, who worked closely with the District Attorney’s Office throughout the case, expressed their support for the outcome. A memorial fund, “Live Like Drew,” was established in Rainer’s honor, celebrating his life as a talented musician, an Eagle Scout, a dedicated member of the Catholic Church, and a beloved friend and family member.
The investigation into the remaining suspects is ongoing, and authorities are urging the public to assist in identifying those responsible for Rainer’s tragic death.
