$5K reward offered for tips on additional suspects in Rhodes College student’s murder

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - CrimeStoppers announced a $5,000 reward to anyone who has information regarding the murder of a Rhodes College student in October 2021.

Andrew “Drew” Rainer, 22, was shot and killed during a home invasion, where multiple suspects busted into his home wearing tightly drawn hoodies.

According to an affidavit, there were three to four men who entered the home on McLean Boulevard.

Only one suspect, 36-year-old Rainess Holmes, has been arrested in connection to the case. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals two days after the deadly incident and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and murder while committing a burglary.

Three months after Rainer was killed, investigators are still looking for answers.

“I suppose the unusual aspect in this case is that they have someone in custody who was there, participated in the event who obviously knows what happened but who has declined to talk,” said Buddy Chapman, the executive director of Crime Stoppers of Memphis Shelby County.

Chapman says any detail, no matter how small could help the investigation.

“As I always say and it’s why we’re in business, somebody knows everything,” said Chapman. “I would urge someone, whether you think you know something important or not, whether you heard something and maybe it’s real or maybe it’s not. Let us know. Let us have that information and we will use it to build on something bigger.”

Holmes is accused of firing the shot that killed Rainer after the 22-year-old failed to unlock his iPad, according to the affidavit.

Rainer was a senior at Rhodes, a Clarence Day Scholar, and an accomplished musician, according to Crime Stoppers.

His family posted $3,000 along with the usual $2,000 Crime Stoppers offers in hopes to draw in tips.

“We know that someone in the community knows something that can help bring more perpetrators of this murder to justice,” said Chapman. “All a citizen has to do is call 528-CASH and we will pass the information on to detectives.”

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