In rural South Carolina, the small town of Johnsonville is still reeling after the shocking death of 16-year-old Trey Wright.
Just two months ago, Trey was shot and killed in a remote area, leaving friends, family, and the wider community struggling to understand how a night of teenage drama escalated into a fatal tragedy.
Finger-Pointing and Unanswered Questions
Trey’s mother, Ashley Lindsey, and his best friend, 18-year-old Ethan Kirby, have shared slightly different accounts of what led to the shooting, but both believe Trey’s 17-year-old girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, played a central role in the events that unfolded.
Despite this, the motive behind the murder remains a mystery.
The Teenagers Involved
Kistenmacher had been dating Trey for only a few weeks, having been introduced to him by 19-year-old Devan Raper from Conway, South Carolina. Raper is alleged to be the shooter.
Currently, Raper and 18-year-old Hunter Kendall remain in custody, while the other seven teens, including Kistenmacher, have been released on bond.
The Deadly Drive
According to police and sources close to the case, Raper and a group of teens drove over an hour from the beach town to Johnsonville.
It was there that Trey was shot and left on the road.
Some accounts suggest Kistenmacher was driving when Raper opened fire, though her attorney denies she was in the car at all.
A Complex Web of Teenage Drama
Trey’s mother has dismissed suggestions of a “love triangle,” describing the situation as far more complicated—a mix of teenage egos, peer pressure, and bravado that spiraled tragically out of control.
Trey had spoken fondly of Gianna just days before his death, telling his mother their relationship felt like a dream come true.
Alleged Instigation
Lindsey and Kirby say Gianna may have played a “queen bee” role, deliberately provoking Trey and involving Raper to escalate tensions.
Allegedly, she accused Trey of cheating during a video call, even though he was with cousins at the time.
Raper, joining the argument, reportedly brandished a gun during the confrontation.
No Clear Motive
For Lindsey, the sudden leap from argument to murder makes no sense.
“How do you go from trash talking to killing someone?” she said.
In her youth, disagreements among kids might have ended in a fistfight on a dirt road, not with a gun.
Legal Proceedings and House Arrest
Kistenmacher, reportedly the daughter of a Horry County police officer, is under house arrest along with 17-year-old Corinne Belviso.
The pair are charged under South Carolina’s “the hand of one is the hand of all” law, which holds all participants in a criminal plan responsible for any act committed. No pleas have yet been entered.
Community Ties and the Truck Culture
Trey had met some of the Myrtle Beach teens during spring break and at local truck shows, where teenagers showcase customized vehicles.
The culture of squatted trucks and weekend meets played a significant role in the friendships and rivalries that night.
Friends describe Raper as “trigger happy” and the drive to Johnsonville as deliberate and premeditated.
Coping with Loss
For Trey’s loved ones, the grief is profound. Younger brother Blaze, 13, is struggling to cope, while Lindsey mourns yet another family loss—her brother Britt McKenzie was murdered in 2022.
Friends describe Trey as outgoing, hardworking, and always kindhearted, a boy who loved fishing, family, and making others laugh.
Remembering Trey
Through the pain, Lindsey hopes people remember Trey for who he was: a loyal friend, a loving son, and a boy with a big heart.
Friends and family emphasize that, in this tight-knit community, family is not just blood—it’s the village that surrounds and supports you.
