MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Rhodes College senior Andrew “Drew” Rainer was shot in the chest in a deadly Midtown home invasion Sunday when he did not type in the password to his iPad, according to a police affidavit.
The alleged shooter was found after a surviving victim tracked his stolen iPad to a Summer Avenue motel and alerted police.
The new information comes after the arrest of Raines Holmes, 36, who was taken into custody by a U.S. Marshal’s task force Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder and multiple charges of aggravated robbery and burglary.
According to police, three or four people wearing hoodies pulled tightly to cover their faces kicked down the door of a house at 703 N. McLean at 5:40 a.m. got away with phones, gaming systems and electronics.
Rainer, 22, was found at the bottom of the home’s staircase with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A total of five people were in the house when the robbery happened, police said. A woman at the home also was shot in the hand.
Police said after Rainer was shot, he fought with the suspect over the gun. The suspect then turned the gun to the woman and fired.
Pierre Landaiche, who attended church with Rainer, described him as “a fine young man. Sweet, nice, polite, genuine, smart. Loved to sing, play music, hunt ducks.”
Landaiche said Rainer had escorted his daughter to some dances.
“May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace,” he said in a Facebook post.
Neighbor Dennis Ostrow says he’s concerned after the robbery.
“This is the first time it’s really hit home. Memphis has its issues associated with crime, obviously, but it really hasn’t affected VECA (Vollintine-Evergreen) that much,” Ostrow said. “To me, it’s very random, and that’s more scary than someone who’s targeted a home. It concerns me that, you know, a car can be driving by with two or three people in it and it’s, ‘Let’s go rob that house.’ That is this bigger concern for me.”
We reached out to Memphis police to find out more about the other suspects involved, and all they would say was the investigation is ongoing. If you know anything about this shooting contact Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.
Mass in celebration of Drew’s life will be celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church on Friday, October 8 at 2:30 p.m. There will be a visitation in the St. Peter parish hall at 1 p.m. and a rosary prayed in the church at 2 p.m.
Contributions to Rainer’s memorial fund can be accepted here.
