The June 24, 2025 killing of 16-year-old Trey Wright in Johnsonville, South Carolina, has rocked both the rural community and the Myrtle Beach area. Wright’s family and friends believe his girlfriend, 17-year-old cheerleader Gianna Kistenmacher, played a direct role in luring him into a deadly confrontation with 19-year-old Devan Raper, now accused of pulling the trigger.
Who Was Trey Wright?
Trey Wright was just weeks away from starting his sophomore year at Johnsonville High School. He played football, worked at a deer-processing plant, and loved showing off his truck at local meets. His family describes him as hardworking, funny, and full of life.
Trey’s mother, Ashley Lindsey, said he wasn’t into drama. “My son wasn’t about dumb stuff like a love triangle,” she recalled. Just days before his death, Trey told her that dating Gianna felt like “a dream come true.”
What Happened the Night Trey Wright Was Killed
On June 24, two carloads of teens drove more than an hour inland from Myrtle Beach to Johnsonville. This wasn’t random — it was a planned confrontation.
In one car sat Devan Raper, who prosecutors say fired the fatal shots into Trey’s chest. Witnesses claim Gianna Kistenmacher accused Trey of cheating earlier that day, placed him on a video call with Devan (who allegedly flashed a gun), and then drove one of the cars to the scene.
Trey’s best friend Ethan Kirby said Trey thought it would be a fistfight, not a shooting. “I believe she just wanted them to fight, not for it to end this way. It was all a childish act that turned real.”
Trey Wright’s Final Moments
The most heartbreaking account comes from Alicia Lauderback, a family friend who had been caring for Trey. She says she found him gasping for breath on the road outside her home. His last words were: “I’m going to sleep now.”
Her husband tried CPR, but Trey’s wounds were too severe. Alicia says Gianna even came to the hospital later, acting shocked. “She fooled all of us,” Alicia said. “In my heart, I feel like she set it up — and she has to live with that.”
Who Is Gianna Kistenmacher?
Seventeen-year-old Gianna Kistenmacher has been described as a “queen bee” type who thrived on drama. She is also reportedly the daughter of a Horry County police officer.
Although her lawyer denies she was in the same car as Devan Raper, she has been charged with murder under South Carolina’s “hand of one, hand of all” law. This law holds everyone in a joint plan accountable for the crime, even if they didn’t pull the trigger.
Who Is Devan Raper?
Devan Scott Raper, 19, of Conway, South Carolina, is accused of being the triggerman. Prosecutors say he shot Trey Wright twice in the chest. He is currently being held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center.
This wasn’t Raper’s first brush with violence. In 2024, he faced charges for driving another man to a shooting — but the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. Trey’s supporters now ask whether his murder could have been prevented if Raper had been held accountable sooner.
Other Teens Charged in Trey Wright’s Murder
In total, nine teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with Trey’s death. Among them are:
- Gianna Kistenmacher, 17
- Devan Raper, 19 (accused gunman)
- Hunter Kendall, 18
- Sydney Kearns, 17
- Corinne Belviso, 18
Several others, mostly from the Myrtle Beach area, have also been charged. Most have since been released on bond, sparking outrage in the community.
A Community in Mourning
Trey Wright’s younger brother, Blaze, is struggling with his loss. His mother Ashley Lindsey rejects claims that Trey was neglected, saying he often stayed with cousins and friends but was always in contact with her. Ethan Kirby backs her up: “Family here isn’t always just blood. It takes a village.”
The Johnsonville community — often calling themselves “Neck Gators” — has been left stunned. Many point to class differences between Trey’s rural upbringing and Gianna’s life in a gated Surfside Beach community. Others say this was about jealousy, peer pressure, and teenage bravado spiraling into deadly violence.
Was Trey Wright’s Murder Preventable?
The biggest question remains: how did a fight over teenage accusations of cheating end in a murder?
- Should Gianna Kistenmacher be held just as accountable as the gunman since she set the chain of events in motion?
- Would Trey still be alive if Devan Raper had been convicted in his previous case?
- Why are teens so quick to pick up guns instead of fighting with fists like generations before them?
Remembering Trey Wright
Ashley Lindsey says she wants her son remembered for who he was — not just how he died. Trey loved fishing, football, family, and making people laugh. “He loved hard. That’s who my baby was.”
Final Thoughts
This case isn’t just about a love triangle. It’s about accountability, peer pressure, and the dangerous mix of teenage egos and guns. One boy is dead. Nine teens face murder charges. And an entire community is left asking why.
For More True Crime
For more true crime coverage, check out Shaneatra Speaks on YouTube where I did a full deep dive into the Trey Wright murder case.
About The Author
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