Man Indicted in Murder of Rhodes Student

Feb. 22, 2022 – A grand jury Tuesday returned first-degree murder and other felony indictments against a Memphis man related to a home-invasion robbery and shooting that claimed the life of a Rhodes College student last October, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Rainess Holmes III, 36, was indicted on felony counts of premeditated first-degree murder, murder in the perpetration of a robbery, murder in the perpetration of a burglary, especially aggravated robbery, especially aggravated burglary, especially aggravated kidnapping, four counts of aggravated robbery, and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

He is being held without bond.

The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2021, when several men broke into a residence in the 700 block of North McLean demanding electronic items and other valuables from four Rhodes College students and a guest.

During the incident Andrew Rainer was shot in the chest when he tried to protect a 20-year-old female student who was being threatened. Rainer, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was shot in the hand.

After the intruders left, police were able to track one student’s stolen I-pad to the Summer Inn at 3024 Summer Ave. where Holmes had checked into a room. He ran to a drainage ditch and escaped, but he was arrested two days later at a residence on Powell in the Binghampton area.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Paul Hagerman and Asst. Dist. Atty. Forrest Edwards.