A South Bend man has admitted to shooting and killing two people earlier this month.
It was back on Aug. 9 when police were called to the 800 block of Johnson Street where they found the bodies of Rainie Best, 18,and Phil Honer, 24, inside a home.
A search of one of the victim’s cellphones led investigators to Joseph Newgent, 52, who admitted he arrived at the home back on Aug. 4 and heard Best and Honer arguing.
He said their fight turned physical so he pulled his gun and shot in Honer’s direction. He said he shot Honer and also inadvertently shot Best, as well.
Newgent faces two counts of murder and a firearm enhancement charge.
The following was sent to 95.3 MNC from the St. Joseph Prosecutor’s Office:
Joseph Newgent, 52, of South Bend was charged with Murder for his role in the deaths of Rainie Best, 18, of South Bend and Phil Honer, 24, of South Bend. The victims’ families have been consulted.
An investigation by the South Bend Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit found that Ms. Best and Mr. Honer were shot and killed on Aug. 4, 2022.
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the investigation and charged Mr.
Newgent with:
- Count I: Murder
- Count II: Murder
- Count III: Firearm Enhancement
The sentencing range for Murder is 45 to 65 years. The sentencing range for a Firearm
Enhancement is five to 20 years. Mr. Newgent is being held at the St. Joseph County Jail.
The following information came from the Probable Cause Affidavit:
On or about August 9, 2022, officers with the South Bend Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of Johnson Street, South Bend, Indiana, regarding two individuals found dead inside the house. The individuals were later identified as Rainie Best and Phil Honer. The autopsy determined Mr. Honer had suffered from a gunshot wound to the head, and Ms. Best suffered from a gunshot wound to the head and back. The autopsy results showed that Rainie Best and Phil Honer both died as a result of the gunshot wounds. In processing the scene, officers located multiple spent bullet casings in the residence near the area where the bodies were located.
During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant
on the cellular phone belonging to Rainie Best. While examining the phone, investigators located communications between JOSEPH NEWGENT and Rainie Best.
On August 19,2022, detectives interviewed NEWGENT. NEWGENT was advised ofhis
Miranda rights and agreed to speak to Detective Nathan Gates and Detective Philip Simms.
NEWGENT stated that he arranged to meet with Rainie Best on August 4, 2022. NEWGENT
said he heard a female yelling and went into the residence. When he entered the house, Ms. Best and Mr. Honer were in a verbal argument which escalated to a physical altercation. Neither Mr. Honer nor Ms. Best were armed during their confrontation. NEWGENT said that during the altercation, he fired a handgun in direction of Mr. Honer. He admitted to shooting Mr. Honer and inadvertently shooting Ms. Best in the process.
