Nine teenagers in South Carolina, USA have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old boy, a crime that authorities say was part of a planned set-up involving his own girlfriend.
The victim, Trey Dean Wright, 16, was discovered on June 24 with multiple gunshot wounds on First Neck Road in Florence County, about 45 miles west of Myrtle Beach.
Investigators allege that 19-year-old Devan Scott Raper of Conway shot Wright during an argument over a girl. Raper was arrested the following day, but officials say he did not act alone.
Over the following weeks, eight other teens were taken into custody for allegedly helping orchestrate the ambush and even recording Wright’s death on video. Among them was Wright’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Gianna Helene Kistenmacher, who has been charged with being an accessory before the fact. Authorities say she brought Raper — knowing he was armed — to meet Wright, which led to the deadly confrontation.
Other teens charged include 18-year-olds Corrine Belviso and Hunter Kendall and 17-year-old Sydney Kearns. The names of four additional suspects have not been released because they are minors.
“They were complicit in bringing the armed codefendant, Raper, to the incident location, knowing there would be a confrontation,” said Maj. Michael Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators added that the teens knew Raper had threatened Wright with a firearm prior to the shooting.
Authorities believe the killing stemmed from a romantic rivalry. “They had issues with each other, and it was over a female,” Sheriff T.J. Joye said. “The sad thing is, 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?”
Raper remains in custody without bond, facing charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
