The community of Florence County, South Carolina, is reeling after the tragic killing of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright, who was fatally shot on June 24 in what investigators describe as a deliberate setup. Authorities revealed that Wright was lured to a remote area outside Johnsonville by his girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, only to be met by a group of teenagers. The planned encounter ended in violence when multiple shots were fired, leaving Wright mortally wounded. He died the following day, sparking shock and outrage throughout the county.
Nineteen-year-old Devan Scott Raper has been identified as the shooter and now faces charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Investigators stated that Raper had previously threatened Wright and opened fire during the confrontation, striking the teen several times. Raper remains jailed without bond, his case at the center of a widening investigation that has already implicated nearly a dozen others. Authorities announced that a 10th teenager is expected to surrender in connection with the case.
Kistenmacher, Wright’s girlfriend, has also been arrested and charged with accessory before the fact. According to police, she played a role in leading Wright to the secluded location where Raper and others were waiting. Though she has been released to home confinement, her alleged involvement has intensified the sense of betrayal surrounding the case. Prosecutors argue that she knowingly participated in setting up her boyfriend, though her defense has not yet publicly responded.
Beyond Raper and Kistenmacher, several other teens, both adults and minors, have been charged for their alleged roles in orchestrating the deadly meeting. Authorities allege that the group was aware Raper was armed and still assisted in luring Wright to the scene. Because some of the accused are minors, their identities have not been disclosed, though officials have emphasized the seriousness of their alleged involvement.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office described the arrests as the result of a careful, step-by-step investigation. Detectives pieced together the events leading up to the shooting, uncovering evidence that multiple teens played an active role in facilitating the confrontation. Sheriff’s officials noted that many of those charged helped bring Raper to the location, knowingly escalating the risk of violence.
The case has left the community shaken, with law enforcement and local leaders stressing the tragic consequences of reckless choices and personal disputes spiraling into violence. Wright’s death underscores not only the fragility of young lives but also the devastating ripple effect such crimes leave on families, friends, and entire neighborhoods. Authorities continue to pursue justice as they prepare for the court proceedings ahead.
