MEMPHIS, TN – A Memphis man has been sentenced to two decades behind bars after his involvement in a 2021 home invasion and murder was unveiled in court this week. Rainess Holmes III, 39, admitted to charges related to the fatal shooting and robbery of a college student, Andrew Rainer, during proceedings at the Shelby County court.

Holmes, alongside three accomplices, broke into the residence where 22-year-old Rainer was residing as a guest. Despite Holmes not pulling the trigger that killed Rainer, he accepted guilt for second-degree murder and additional burglary charges, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

The violent incident unfolded in the early hours of October 3, 2021, when a group of masked intruders forcibly entered the home, demanding valuables from the occupants. Police reports state that Rainer was asked to unlock his iPad but refused. His defiance was met with violence as one of the assailants shot him in the chest.

During the chaos, Rainer attempted to fend off the attacker, resulting in another shot that injured his girlfriend’s hand. The intruders left with various stolen items, leaving Rainer fatally wounded at the foot of a staircase.

The breakthrough in the investigation came when one of the victims traced the stolen iPad to a local hotel. This led to Holmes’ arrest, where he was found with several pilfered electronics.

Initially charged with first-degree murder, Holmes negotiated a plea deal that led to his conviction for second-degree murder and multiple aggravated burglary counts. He received a sentence of 20 years without the possibility of parole, alongside concurrent three-year sentences for the burglary charges.

The plea agreement, which brought closure to a tragic episode, had the backing of Rainer’s family, per the district attorney’s office.

This case underscores the gravity of the crime and the ensuing legal process, offering a somber reminder of the fragile nature of safety and justice in communities.