Bullying, a Love Triangle and Nine Arrested Teens: Inside the Tragic Case of a 16-Year-Old Boy Lured Away
Tragic murder of Trey Wright: Romantic rivalry, betrayal, and youth violence in small-town South Carolina.
A tragic and chilling incident unfolded on a desolate country road in Florence County, South Carolina, claiming the life of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright. Lured to his death by his own girlfriend, Wright was shot multiple times in what authorities describe as a calculated plot driven by a romantic rivalry. Nine teenagers, including the victim’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Gianna Helene Kistenmacher, and 19-year-old Devan Scott Raper, have been arrested in connection with the murder, which was recorded on video by one of the suspects. This article explores the details of the crime, the motives, the legal consequences, and the broader societal implications of this heartbreaking case.
A Fatal Setup
The events leading to Trey Wright’s death began when he believed he was meeting his girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, on First Neck Road near Johnsonville, about 45 miles west of Myrtle Beach. Instead, he walked into a deadly ambush orchestrated by a group of teenagers. Just before midnight, Florence County Sheriff’s deputies found Wright lying in the roadway, riddled with gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to a hospital, the rising high school sophomore succumbed to his injuries. Authorities quickly arrested Devan Raper the following day, alleging he fired the fatal shots during a confrontation fueled by a dispute “over a female.”
Sheriff T.J. Joye described the incident as a targeted altercation, stating, “This was not a random act. They had issues with each other, and it was over a female.” The investigation revealed that Kistenmacher played a pivotal role, knowingly luring Wright to the remote location where Raper, armed and prepared for violence, awaited. The chilling detail that one of the nine teens recorded the killing on video added a haunting layer to the case, providing investigators with undeniable evidence of the planned nature of the crime.
The Suspects and Their Roles
The arrests of nine teenagers—five charged as adults and four minors whose identities remain undisclosed—highlight the complexity of the plot. Devan Raper, 19, from Conway, faces charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime and is being held without bond. Gianna Kistenmacher, 17, from Myrtle Beach, was charged with murder and accessory before the fact of a felony. She was released on a $25,000 bond with strict conditions, including house arrest and no social media use, pending her court appearance. Three other teens, Hunter Kendall (18), Corinne Belviso (18), and Sydney Kearns (17), also face murder charges, with Kendall held without bond, while Belviso and Kearns were released on $20,000 bonds.
Under South Carolina’s “hand of one is the hand of all” law, all involved teens are charged equally for their complicity in bringing Raper, who was known to be armed, to the scene with the intent of a violent confrontation. Major Michael Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office noted that the group was aware of Raper’s threats to shoot Wright, as documented in arrest warrants. The video evidence, described as removing “a lot of the guesswork,” has been critical in building the case against the suspects.
A Community Mourns Trey Wright
Trey Wright, a sophomore at Johnsonville High School, was remembered as a vibrant and kind-hearted young man. A varsity athlete in football and baseball, he was also an avid outdoorsman who loved dirt bikes, fishing, and working at Vox Deer Processing. His mother, Ashley Lindsey, described him as “one in a million,” with a contagious happiness that touched everyone he met. “My baby never deserved not one thing that happened to him,” she said, vowing to fight for justice. A GoFundMe campaign for the family underscored Trey’s love for life, noting his infectious smile and ability to bring joy to others.
The Johnsonville community, devastated by the loss, has rallied around the Wright family. Friends like Ethan Kirby described Trey as his “day one,” expressing shock at the involvement of the Myrtle Beach group, with whom Trey had only recently connected. The tragedy has left a lasting scar, prompting reflection on the senselessness of the violence, as Sheriff Joye lamented, “You’ve 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?”
Societal and Legal Implications
The case raises profound questions about youth violence, romantic rivalries, and the role of social dynamics in escalating conflicts. The premeditated nature of the murder, coupled with its recording, points to a troubling trend of desensitization to violence among some teens, possibly amplified by social media and peer influence. The involvement of Wright’s girlfriend in luring him to his death highlights the devastating consequences of betrayal and manipulation in young relationships.
South Carolina’s legal framework, particularly the “hand of one is the hand of all” doctrine, underscores the collective responsibility of those involved in planning or enabling a crime. This approach ensures accountability but also raises questions about fairness when applied to minors or those with peripheral roles. The case also draws attention to the accessibility of firearms, as Raper’s ability to obtain and use a weapon was central to the tragedy. Advocates for gun control argue that stricter regulations could prevent such outcomes, while others emphasize the need for addressing underlying social and psychological factors.
A Call for Reflection and Justice
The murder of Trey Wright serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the destructive power of unchecked rivalries. As the legal process unfolds, with no pleas yet entered, the Florence County community seeks justice for a young life cut short. The case challenges society to address the root causes of youth violence, from mental health support to conflict resolution, to prevent future tragedies. For Trey’s family, particularly his mother, the fight for justice is personal, driven by a love for a son whose light was extinguished too soon. As Johnsonville mourns, the hope is that Trey’s memory will inspire efforts to foster understanding and prevent such senseless losses in the future.