Honestly, the details coming out of Florence County lately feel like a nightmare script that no one asked for. You've probably seen the name Trey Wright South Carolina floating around social media or popping up in your news feed, usually accompanied by a picture of a 16-year-old kid with a grin that looked like it could light up an entire football field. But beneath that varsity athlete image is a story that is messy, tragic, and frankly, terrifying for any parent in the Palmetto State.
Trey Dean Wright was a sophomore at Johnsonville High School. He played baseball, he played football, and he spent his free time working at Vox Deer Processing. He was a kid who lived for the outdoors, dirt bikes, and his "twin brothers"—a group of friends so close they were basically family. Then came the night of June 24, 2025.
What happened on First Neck Road wasn’t some random act of violence. It was a setup.
The Setup on First Neck Road
Police reports and investigators have painted a picture that is hard to stomach. Essentially, authorities say Trey was lured to a desolate stretch of road by his own girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher. Think about that for a second. You’re 16, you think you’re going to meet your girlfriend, and instead, you’re walking into an ambush.
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, Kistenmacher allegedly brought Trey to the location knowing that another teen, 19-year-old Devan Raper, was there and armed. The motive? A "romantic rivalry." It’s the kind of thing that used to end in a fistfight behind the bleachers, but in 2025, it ended with a gun.
Investigators say the confrontation was caught on video. One of the teens present reportedly filmed the entire thing as it unfolded. This wasn’t just a crime; it was a spectacle for the people involved. When deputies arrived at the scene around 11:30 p.m., they found Trey lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds. He didn't make it.
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Why the Trey Wright South Carolina Case is Legally Complicated
This isn't just a "one shooter, one victim" case. It’s much bigger. As of late 2025, nine teenagers have been swept up in this investigation. You might be wondering how nine people get charged for one shooting. South Carolina uses a legal principle called "the hand of one is the hand of all."
Basically, if you are part of the plan, if you help lure the victim, or if you stand there and film it while being "complicit" in the confrontation, the law sees you as responsible as the person who pulled the trigger.
- Devan Raper (19): Charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Gianna Kistenmacher (17): Charged with accessory before the fact.
- Hunter Kendall (18), Sydney Kearns (17), and Corrine Belviso (18): All facing murder charges.
- Four Juveniles: Including kids as young as 15, who prosecutors are currently fighting to try as adults.
The community in Johnsonville is small. Everyone knows everyone. Seeing nearly a dozen local teens in orange jumpsuits has rattled the town to its core. It's the kind of situation where "sorry" doesn't even begin to cover the damage done to multiple families.
The "Hand of One" Logic
South Carolina prosecutors aren't playing around here. Deputy Solicitor Todd Tucker has been vocal about moving the younger suspects from family court to general sessions. They want adult accountability.
The argument is simple but harsh: if you knew Raper had a gun, and you knew there was going to be a violent confrontation, and you still helped facilitate it, you are part of the murder. It’s a high bar to prove in court, but the presence of social media messages and that cell phone video might be the "smoking gun" the state needs.
A Mother’s Grief and a Town’s Response
Ashley Lindsey, Trey’s mother, has been incredibly open about the "insanity" of the legal process. In interviews, she’s talked about how the endless bond hearings and court dates make it impossible to even begin grieving. One day you’re at a funeral at the high school, and the next, you're sitting across a courtroom from the kids who allegedly plotted against your son.
The town held a celebration of life for Trey at the Johnsonville High School gymnasium. It was packed. People wore blue, they shared stories about his infectious smile, and they talked about his love for the outdoors. But there’s a lingering bitterness in the air.
Some of the suspects were released on bond, which has caused its own wave of outrage. Seeing people accused of a setup walking the streets while a 16-year-old is in the ground—that’s a tough pill for any neighbor to swallow.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Case
There's a lot of gossip flying around Florence County. Some people want to frame this as just "kids being kids" or a "tragic accident." It wasn't.
The evidence points to a premeditated "hit" over a girl. It highlights a disturbing trend where disputes that start on Snapchat or Instagram escalate into real-world lethality because no one has the "off" switch. The fact that it was recorded suggests a level of detachment that is hard to wrap your head around. It wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment mistake; it was a produced event.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for the Community
If you’re living in South Carolina and following the Trey Wright South Carolina case, the tragedy is a wake-up call. We can’t change what happened on First Neck Road, but there are ways to address the culture that led to it.
Monitor Digital Footprints Early
Don't just look at who your kids are texting; look at the "vibe" of their group chats. The planning for this incident reportedly lived in the digital space before it ever hit the pavement. If you see talk of "confrontations" or "setups," it's time to intervene, even if it feels like "snitching."
Understand the "Hand of One" Law
Teenagers need to know that just "being there" or "filming" isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card. In South Carolina, being a spectator to a planned felony makes you a participant. Educating kids on the legal reality of complicity could save lives—and keep them out of prison.
Support Local Youth Mentorship
Johnsonville has started initiatives like planting memorial trees and creating wellness activities for grieving students. Getting involved in these programs helps channel that community anger into something that actually protects the next kid who might find themselves in a toxic "love triangle."
The trial dates for Raper and the others are the next big milestone. Until then, the story of Trey Wright remains a somber reminder of how quickly a summer night in South Carolina can turn into a permanent tragedy.
Stay informed by following the Florence County Sheriff’s Office official releases or local outlets like WBTW News13 for the latest court dates. Supporting the "Justice for Trey" initiatives is the best way to ensure this case doesn't just fade into the background.
Next Steps:
Keep a close watch on the 12th Circuit Solicitor's Office announcements regarding the "waiver" hearings for the juveniles. These hearings will determine if the 15 and 16-year-olds involved will face life sentences as adults. You can also look into local conflict resolution workshops in Florence County that have been established in response to this rise in teen violence.