"Hard to Ignore": Teen's Shooting Ambush Over Girl Drama Leaves 16-Year-Old Dead, Dozens Charged

Teen Shooting Incident in South Carolina Involves Multiple Charges and a Disturbing Video

A disturbing incident in South Carolina has led to multiple criminal charges against nine teenagers, including one who allegedly shot and killed a 16-year-old boy. The incident reportedly stemmed from a conflict over a girl, with the victim's girlfriend and other suspects playing key roles in luring the teenager to the location where the shooting occurred. One of the suspects even recorded the event on video, according to law enforcement.

Maj. Mike Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office described the situation as difficult to deny, citing the evidence available through social media, audio, and video recordings. “It's kind of hard to deny what we see with our eyes,” he said during an interview with a local CBS affiliate. “And what's posted on social media, audio, video, those types of things.”

Devan Raper, 19, is accused of carrying out the shooting on June 24 in Johnsonville. According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, Raper allegedly fired multiple shots at Trey Wright, a 16-year-old local resident, before leaving him on First Neck Road. Wright's own girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, 17, is alleged to have helped lure him to the location where the attack took place.

The case has drawn significant attention, especially after Kistenmacher's charges were upgraded from accessory before the fact of a felony to murder. Her involvement highlights the complexity of the situation, as she was reportedly instrumental in setting up the encounter that led to the tragic outcome.

Wright’s mother, Ashley Lindsey, expressed her grief and disbelief after the teens were charged. “My baby never deserved not one thing that happened to him, period,” she told the local news outlet. She described her son as a kind-hearted individual who brought joy to everyone around him.

According to police, Raper and Wright had a verbal altercation before the shooting occurred. Other defendants are alleged to have coordinated the meeting and were aware that Raper was armed and had threatened to shoot the victim. “They knew that Raper had presented a firearm to the victim and made threats to shoot him,” Nunn added.

Deputies found Wright lying in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds around 11:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Sheriff TJ Joye noted the tragic nature of the incident, emphasizing that it was a conflict between two people over a female. “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?” he asked.

Three additional suspects—Sydney Kearns, 17; Corrinne Belviso, 18; and Hunter Kendall, 18—were also charged for their roles in the incident. They are alleged to have facilitated Raper’s meeting with Wright, knowing he was armed and intent on violence. At least one of them recorded the event, although officials have not disclosed who exactly did so.

Online court records indicate that at least four of the defendants were released after posting bond, including Belviso and Kearns. Raper remains in custody at the Florence County Detention Center, while Kistenmacher is out on bond pending a hearing.

Wright, a high school student in the Florence School District 5, was remembered by friends and family as a kind soul who touched many lives. A GoFundMe page set up in his honor highlighted his positive impact on those around him.

Ethan Kirby, a friend of Wright, shared his disbelief at the events. “It's an unreal act that we never thought could happen to Trey,” he said. “Honestly, I'm in disbelief at what's happened right now.”

The case underscores the serious consequences of youth conflicts and the role of technology in documenting such incidents. As the legal process continues, the community grapples with the loss of a young life and the broader implications of the events that led to it.