by Florence County, SC – Authorities say a tenth South Carolina teen is expected to surrender to police in connection with the brutal June murder of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright, who was allegedly lured to a remote road by his girlfriend and fatally shot while a group of teenagers filmed his dying moments.
Lured Into a Deadly Trap
Investigators say Wright was brought to a rural Florence County area by his girlfriend, 17-year-old Gianna Kistenmacher, under the pretense of a meeting. Instead, he walked into an ambush involving several teens and 19-year-old Devan Scott Raper, who was accused of previously flashing a gun at Wright and threatening him.
The two young men confronted each other, reportedly over a girl, and the argument quickly escalated. According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, at least one teen began filming on a cellphone as the situation unfolded.
The recording captured the shocking moment when Raper allegedly pulled out a gun and fired several times, striking Wright. The 16-year-old died at the scene.
Charges Stack Up
Raper was arrested the day after Wright’s body was discovered on June 24 and has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Kistenmacher, Wright’s girlfriend, is charged with accessory before the fact after investigators determined she knowingly set up the deadly meeting, aware that Raper was armed. She has since been released on bond to home confinement.
Eight other teens have also been charged for their alleged roles in the setup and aftermath, including:
- Hunter Kendall, 18
- Corrine Belviso, 18
- Sydney Kearns, 17
- Four unnamed minors, whose identities have been withheld due to their age
Officials confirmed that a tenth suspect is preparing to turn themselves in, though details of their alleged involvement have not been released.
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South Carolina’s “Hand of One, Hand of All” Law
Florence County Sheriff’s Office Major Michael Nunn explained that charging so many teens was a decision made in close consultation with prosecutors.
“The decision was made, again with investigators, in consultation with the solicitor’s office to charge each of them,” Nunn told to a local news outlet.
He pointed to South Carolina’s “hand of one, hand of all” doctrine, which allows all individuals involved in a crime to be held equally responsible, even if they did not personally commit the act of violence.
“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,” Nunn said.
A Murder Filmed for Social Media
One of the most disturbing details of the case is that Wright’s murder was filmed by another teenager present at the scene. The video has not been publicly released, but officials say it captures Wright’s final moments.
Law enforcement officials believe the decision to record the confrontation highlights a troubling trend among some teens—prioritizing social media attention over human life.
A Community in Shock
The killing has shaken Florence County and beyond, sparking outrage from parents and community leaders who say the case underscores the dangers of youth violence, social media, and easy access to firearms.
“This is one of the most chilling cases we’ve ever seen,” one local resident said. “It wasn’t just that a young life was taken—it was the planning, the setup, and the fact that other kids stood there recording instead of helping.”
What Comes Next
With another arrest expected, prosecutors are preparing a complex case involving multiple young defendants. If convicted, the teens could face severe penalties despite their ages, given the seriousness of the crime.
Raper, as the alleged shooter, faces the harshest charges and could spend the rest of his life in prison if found guilty.
As the investigation continues, the case is serving as a grim reminder of how quickly teenage conflicts can spiral into deadly violence when weapons, jealousy, and peer involvement collide.
What do you think about South Carolina’s “hand of one, hand of all” law—should every teen involved face the same charges, even if they didn’t pull the trigger? Share your thoughts in the comments on ibwhsmag.com.
