LEBANON, Ohio — Family and friends of Warren County native Andrew Rainey are now grappling with grief and frustration after the 63-year-old grandfather was shot and killed Monday at a busy Lebanon intersection.
According to police, Rainey was shot in the stomach near the SR-48 Bypass and US-42.
"It's still a shock for a lot of people, I don't think it's set in yet," said Rainey's friend of 20 years, Angel Delao. "To hear that he was shot point-blank by someone in a vehicle — it boggles the mind."
Police said they began receiving numerous 911 calls just before noon reporting a shooting; one of those 911 callers told dispatchers they were the person who fired the gun.
That person told dispatchers they would be standing next to their vehicle with their gun holstered, waiting for police to arrive, Lebanon police said. When officers arrived, they found the person who called, and saw Rainey lying in the road with a gunshot wound in his abdomen, police said.
Some of the witnesses who called 911 described the moments leading up to the shooting as road rage. One man told a dispatcher he watched as Rainey "took a swing" at the other driver before that person took out a gun and shot Rainey.
But Delao said he doesn't believe that account, arguing whatever happened must have been a misunderstanding and to no fault of Rainey's. The grandfather had a limp and was deaf, requiring hearing aides in both ears, Delao said.
"Andy was born with a hearing disability. When he spoke considerably louder than most other people so I could see how other people might confuse that for him yelling," he said. "He was overall a very peaceful guy, so just hard to believe that. He was a gentle giant. He was a big man, but not a menacing figure at all."
Rainey was an active member of the Lebanon Presbyterian Church and volunteered his time to numerous humanitarian projects. Delao said Rainey was often out of state helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts following major storms and other natural disasters.
"I just lent him a suitcase. He was heading down to Tennessee — to go build some homes in Tennessee," Delao said, fighting back tears. "Samaritan's Purse was the organization he was heading down with. He was set to leave Saturday."
Rainey's daughter Sally Frazier described her father as "amazing" and someone who would give the shirt off his back to someone who needed it. She said she's heartbroken and wants the person responsible for shooting and killing her father to be held accountable.
"That man shot and killed my father who had no weapon, was deaf, a grandpa to eight and a father to me," she said. "(My father was a) man who was held high in his community and loved greatly by thousands — that man killed a child of God, all because he didn't like being yelled at. He could (have) drove off, he could (have) done many things but instead chose to take my dad's life away, away from his family and friends. My dad was murdered and I pray for justice!"
The person who said they were the shooter was detained for questioning without any issue and Rainey was taken to Atrium Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said Lebanon police immediately contacted his office and the investigation into what led to the shooting is ongoing. Fornshell said once the investigation is complete, his office will determine whether any charges will be filed against the person who told police they pulled the trigger.
"We all feel that Andy was a victim. Shy of saying he was murdered, but he was shot and he was weaponless," said Delao. "I truly hope that's how Andy is remembered — a life of service to others."
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