Florence County, SC — Authorities in South Carolina have arrested nine teenagers in connection with the June murder of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright, whose death stems from an alleged premeditated setup fueled by romantic motives.
The victim, Trey Dean Wright of Johnsonville, was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds on First Neck Road in Florence County on June 24. The following day, 19-year-old Devan Scott Raper, who allegedly fatally shot Wright during an argument, was apprehended and charged with murder and weapon possession.
However, investigators quickly determined that Raper did not act alone. Over the ensuing weeks, eight additional teens—including Wright’s own girlfriend—were detained for their purported roles in orchestrating the incident. Among the charged are:
- Gianna (Giann) Kistenmacher, Wright’s 17-year-old girlfriend, accused of acting as an accessory before the fact by luring the victim to the confrontation, knowing Raper was armed.
- Corrine Belviso (18), Hunter Kendall (18), and Sydney Kearns (17)—all facing charges related to the plot.
- Four unnamed minors whose identities have not been publicly released.
Authorities allege that some of the teens recorded the murder on video, and were complicit by bringing the armed Raper to the location, fully aware of the potential for violence.
Under South Carolina law, collective responsibility allows multiple individuals involved in a single criminal act to be charged, even if they did not directly commit the murder. Raper and Kendall are being held without bond, while Belviso and Kearns have secured release by posting $20,000 bonds each.
In a statement expressing heartbreak and disbelief, one official quoted the victim’s father with poignant irony:
“You got a 16-year-old that lost his life. You’ve got a 19-year-old who is going to be in jail the rest of his life. Over what?”
— Sheriff T.J. Joye, reflecting on the senselessness of the crime.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign established to assist Wright’s family in covering funeral and related expenses portrays him as “a kind soul who touched so many lives.” The online obituary described Wright as a proud athlete and outdoorsman, loved by many for his infectious smile and sense of humor. He was set to begin his sophomore year at Johnsonville High School and worked at Vox Deer Processing .
The case has struck a deep chord across the community and beyond, raising serious questions about accountability, adolescent relationships, and the extent to which peer influence can escalate to violence.
