MEMPHIS, TN – A Tennessee man who played a key role in a deadly home invasion that resulted in the death of a college student has been sentenced after entering a guilty plea in the case.
Rainess Holmes III, 39, admitted to charges of second-degree murder along with additional burglary charges related to the tragic incident in 2021 that claimed the life of 22-year-old Andrew Rainer. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the plea and sentence in a recent statement, underscoring Holmes’ involvement in the robbery at gunpoint inside a home where Rainer was a guest. Holmes, however, did not fire the fatal shot.
Details from police documents reveal that during the early morning hours of October 3, 2021, Rainer was among five individuals at a residence when a group of men forcibly entered. Donning hoodies and coverings over their faces, the intruders ordered the occupants to avert their eyes while they demanded valuables such as electronic devices.
Amid the chaos, an attempt to coerce Rainer into unlocking his iPad was met with resistance. When Rainer refused, one assailant fired a shot that struck him in the chest. Despite the injury, Rainer reportedly attempted to fight back, resulting in another shot being fired that injured his girlfriend’s hand.
The robbers fled with a host of items, including mobile phones, gaming consoles, and the disputed iPad. Rainer’s lifeless body was discovered at the base of the stairs, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a significant turn, one of the victims managed to trace the stolen iPad to a nearby hotel. This led authorities to Holmes, who was found in possession of multiple stolen items. Consequently, Holmes was initially charged with first-degree murder alongside other serious offenses.
Upon reaching an agreement, Holmes confessed to second-degree murder and three counts of aggravated burglary and was handed a 20-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole. Additionally, the burglary charges brought him three separate three-year terms to be served concurrently.
The District Attorney’s Office noted that Rainer’s family was in agreement with the terms of the plea deal, bringing a measure of closure to a heartbreaking chapter for those involved.