The murder of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright in South Carolina has led to the arrest of nine teenagers, and a tenth suspect is expected to turn themselves in soon.
Wright was found dead on June 24 with multiple gunshot wounds on First Neck Road in Florence County, about 45 miles west of Myrtle Beach, Fox News reported. Among those arrested is Wright’s own girlfriend.
Main suspect accused of shooting
Authorities say Devan Scott Raper, 19, from Conway, shot Wright during an argument about a girl. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office arrested him the day after the killing.
What we know about the suspects
Investigators believe Raper did not act alone. Eight other teens have been arrested for helping plan Wright’s murder. Officials say some of them helped lure Wright into a trap and even recorded a video of his death.
Wright’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, was arrested and charged as an accessory before the fact. Police say she brought Raper to meet Wright and encouraged the confrontation, knowing that Raper was armed.
Others charged include 18-year-olds Corrine Belviso and Hunter Kendall, along with 17-year-old Sydney Kearns. Four more suspects, whose names have not been released, are also facing charges. A tenth teenager is expected to surrender soon, News 13 reported.
Raper has been formally charged with homicide and possession of a weapon, according to the New York Post.
Authorities explain charges
Florence County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Michael Nunn said the decision to charge all the teenagers was carefully considered.
“The decision was made, again with investigators, in consultation with the solicitor’s office to charge each of them,” Nunn told News 13. “The hand of one being the hand of all is part of South Carolina law as well, so that’s the basis of the charge for each of those individuals.”
