Nine South Carolina teens arrested in plot to kill 16-year-old boy—including his girlfriend

Nine South Carolina teenagers have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old who was found shot to death on June 24 in Florence County, including the victim’s girlfriend, who allegedly contributed to his death. 

Trey Dean Wright’s body was discovered on First Neck Road, about 45 miles west of Myrtle Beach, with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Fox News. The following day, deputies arrested 19-year-old Devan Scott Raper, who is accused of fatally shooting Wright after an argument.

Since Raper’s arrest, eight more teenagers have been charged for their roles in the killing and the alleged plan to record Wright’s death. Among them is Wright’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Giann Kistenmacher, who has been charged as an accessory before the fact. Authorities say she arranged for Raper to meet Wright, knowing Raper was armed and was likely to kill him.

"All this court hearing and bond court and stuff is driving me crazy," Wright's mother, Ashley Lindsey, told Fox News. "I don't even have time to sit down and think half the time, on top of losing my precious baby."

Other suspects include 18-year-olds Corrine Belviso and Hunter Kendall, as well as 17-year-old Sydney Kearns. The five identified suspects are being tried as adults. Four additional suspects, whose names have not been released because they are minors, are also facing charges.

"They were complicit in bringing the armed codefendant, Raper, to the incident location and knowing that there would be a confrontation," Maj. Michael Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff's Office told WBTW-TV. "They knew that Raper had presented a firearm to the victim and made threats to shoot him, according to the arrest warrants."

Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye told the station the deadly confrontation stemmed from a relationship dispute.

"They had issues with each other, and it was over a female," Joyce said. "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?"