Nine Myrtle Beach teens face serious charges in connection with the tragic shooting death of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright in June 2025. The crime was linked to a planned confrontation and has raised awareness about South Carolina’s accomplice laws.
Nine individuals from the Myrtle Beach area are now facing charges after a tragic altercation led to the death of 16-year-old Trey Dean Wright in Johnsonville, South Carolina. The incident occurred on June 24, 2025, and has sparked outrage, with authorities charging several suspects as accomplices under South Carolina’s “hand of one, hand of all” law.
Around 11:30 p.m. on June 24, Wright and 19-year-old Devan Raper got into a heated dispute that ended in violence on North 1st Neck Road. Wright was shot, and despite being rushed to Nemours Children’s Hospital, he passed away two days later, on June 16, from traumatic brain injuries.
The first arrest occurred a day after the shooting when Devan Raper was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He remains in jail without bond.
Following the incident, a wave of arrests ensued. Wright’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, was charged as an accessory before the fact for allegedly bringing Wright to the scene knowing Raper was armed and that violence was likely. She was released on bond and placed under home confinement.
Other arrests included 18-year-olds Hunter Matthew Kendall, Sydney Marissa Kearns, and Corrinne Elizabeth Belviso. These three individuals face charges of murder, though authorities have not released details about their specific involvement. Kendall remains in custody without bond, while Kearns and Belviso were released after posting bond. Their next court appearances are set for September 17.
In addition to these arrests, four other individuals, including some juveniles, have also been implicated, with one more suspect expected to surrender soon. These individuals have been charged as accomplices, as investigators believe they played a role in bringing Raper to the scene despite knowing the potential for violence.
The case has sparked widespread attention and concern about the prevalence of violence among young people, with some neighbors and relatives of the suspects expressing shock and regret over the events that unfolded. A GoFundMe page has raised over $6,000 to cover funeral expenses for Wright, who was remembered as a kind and talented young man involved in football and baseball at Johnsonville High School.
The tragic incident has left many questioning the impact of youth violence and the need for stronger community and safety initiatives to protect young people from making life-altering decisions.
