Latest news with #DevanRaper
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Teen had shooting case dismissed just months before 'he shot dead love triangle rival, 16'
A teenager accused of gunning down his 16-year-old love rival in a planned ambush was involved in an eerily similar case just months prior - but the charges against him were later dismissed. Devan Raper, 19, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Trey Dean Wright, who was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds near Johnsonville, South Carolina - a small city about 45 miles west of Myrtle Beach - on June 24. Wright was allegedly lured to a remote rural location on First Neck Road by his girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, 17, where Raper was waiting to confront him violently over a mutual love interest, police say. Raper, Kistenmacher, and seven other teenagers have so far been charged in connection with Wright's murder. Another teen is expected to surrender themselves to investigators imminently. Court documents unearthed by the Daily Mail reveal that Raper was involved in another shooting investigation just months before Wright was gunned down. In August 2024, Raper was charged as an accessory in an attempted murder case in his hometown of Conway. Like the Wright shooting months later, it involved driving a gunman to a gathering of local rivals where a simmering dispute turned violent. Raper, then 18, was accused of driving gunman Jayden Henry Brown, 20, to Austin Avenue on August 15, 2024, where Brown opened fire on a group of teenagers, striking one in the thigh. The pair then fled the scene in Raper's car, but they were arrested within two weeks. Authorities alleged that Raper knew Brown intended to open fire on the group and willingly drove him to and from the scene of the shooting. He was charged as an accessory both before and after the fact to a felony, while Brown was initially arrested and charged with five counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. However, in January 2025, Brown pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault and battery in the first-degree. He was sentenced to five years in a young offenders' prison and two years probation. The charges against Raper were dismissed the following month, court records show. The attorney who represented Raper in that case has not yet returned a request for comment. Additional court documents show that Raper's father, Jason Raper, has an extensive criminal record, featuring numerous traffic infractions - including driving with a suspended license - a no contest plea for criminal mischief and drug possession. Court documents unearthed by the Daily Mail reveal that Raper (left) was involved in another shooting investigation just months before Wright was gunned down. He was accused of willingly driving Jayden Henry Brown (right) to and from the scene of a shooting Posts to Devan Raper's personal Facebook page show he is a father to a baby girl. One selfie posted to social media shows the teen holding a handgun up to the camera. Raper is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center without bond, following his arrest for Wright's murder. Police claim Raper had previously flashed a firearm at Wright and threatened to shoot him. A source familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail that Wright had spent what would prove to be his final hours of life with friends, spending time swimming at a local river and going out for food. He was staying at a friend's home on First Neck Road on the night of June 24, when he was allegedly lured to a nearby remote location by his girlfriend, Kistenmacher, and shot by Raper. A large group of teenagers watched the deadly confrontation unfold. At least one person caught the shooting on their cellphone. Police allege the footage shows Raper pulling the trigger several times, striking and killing Wright. Raper was arrested and charged with murder the following day, along with Kistenmacher, who was charged as an accessory before the fact. Raper was arrested and charged with murder the following day, along with Wright's girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, who was charged as an accessory before the fact Kistenmacher has been accused of playing a significant role in the killing. According to the sheriff's office, she brought her boyfriend to meet with Raper - knowing he was armed and likely to kill Wright. She is currently on bond and released to home confinement. Three more teenagers were arrested and charged with murder in the days that followed: Corinne Belviso, 18, Matthew Kendall, 18, and Sydney Marissa Kearns, 17. Police have not revealed the roles they allegedly played in Wright's death. Neighbors of Belviso said they were unsurprised by her affiliations with the horrifying crime, describing her as a wayward teen who comes from a difficult family. 'They're always throwing wild parties and they have trucks going up and down the street at two or three in the morning,' Michael Vanglahn told WBTW. '[It's not a surprise] based on the people that she hangs out with, you know, and the people that her mom allows her to hang out with and the people she invited in.' Four other teenagers have since been arrested in connection with Wright's death, but have not yet been named, bringing the total number charged to nine. A tenth teen is expected to surrender to police soon, WBTW reported. Maj. Michael Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff's Office said those arrests involved individuals who were 'complicit' in bringing Raper to the scene of the shooting, 'knowing there would be a confrontation.' 'They knew that Raper had presented a firearm to the victim and made threats to shoot him, according to the arrest warrants,' Nunn said. 'The hand of one being the hand of all is part of South Carolina law as well, so that's the basis of the charge for each of those individuals.' Police claim Raper had previously flashed a firearm at Wright and threatened to shoot him Five of the nine teens have been charged as adults. Posts to Wright's TikTok page hinted at an ongoing conflict and relationship issues before his death. 'I fear no female,' a caption in one video read. 'What's she gonna do? Talk about me on her private story?' A second read: 'Yall can have the ho, I give up.' Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye earlier said the shooting was believed to have been caused by a romantic rivalry. 'They had issues with each other, and it was over a female,' Joye told local media 'The sad thing is, you got a 16-year-old who lost his life. You've got a 19-year-old who is going to be in jail the rest of his life. Over what?' It is unclear whether Raper and the other teens charged have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Yahoo
Motion for bond hearing denied for 19-year-old charged in Johnsonville teen's killing, records show
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A 19-year-old charged in the Johnsonville shooting death of a 16-year-old in June had his motion for a bond hearing denied on Monday, online records show. Devan Raper of Conway faces a murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime charge in connection with the killing of Trey Wright of Johnsonville. He appeared before a judge on June 25, who scheduled his first appearance in General Sessions court for Aug. 19. Less than a week after the killing, authorities arrested Gianna Helene Kistenmacher, 17, and charged her with accessory before the fact to a felony. Authorities claim she brought Raper to the location of the shooting knowing that Raper was armed 'and that there would be a confrontation for violence likely lead to death based on statements made in her presence.' News13 later learned Kistenmacher was Wright's girlfriend at the time of the killing. Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said the killing was over a girl and captured on video. 'This was an altercation between two people. It's not like I'm just going to go to Johnsonville and shoot somebody. They had issues with each other and it was over a female,' Joye 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?' Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Yahoo
Teen girl charged in boyfriend's Johnsonville killing granted bond, solicitor's office says
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A teenage girl charged with accessory in connection with her boyfriend's killing in June in Johnsonville has been released on bond, according to the 12th Circuit Solicitor's Office. Less than a week after the killing of 16-year-old Trey Wright, authorities arrested Gianna Helene Kistenmacher, 17, and charged her with accessory before the fact to a felony. The solicitor's office told News13 on Wednesday she was released on bond but is on an ankle monitor, cannot go outside except for the emergency room, and cannot use any internet. Authorities claim Kistenmacher brought Devan Raper to the location of the shooting, knowing that Raper was armed, 'and that there would be a confrontation for violence likely to lead to death based on statements made in her presence.' Raper, 19, of Conway, was charged with murder in connection with the shooting. He requested a bond hearing earlier this week but had that motion denied. Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said the killing was over a girl and that it was captured on video. 'This was an altercation between two people. It's not like I'm just going to go to Johnsonville and shoot somebody. They had issues with each other and it was over a female,' Joye 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?' On Thursday, the sheriff's office confirmed they had obtained additional warrants for more suspects in connection with the killing. News13 is working to learn the exact number bond Kistenmacher was granted. Count on us for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Yahoo
Additional warrants obtained in connection with Johnsonville 16-year-old's killing
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Additional arrest warrants have been obtained for more suspects in connection with the Johnsonville killing of a 16-year-old in late June, the Florence County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. No information about the suspects, including their names or how many, was immediately available. The charges are in connection with the deadly June 25 shooting of Trey Wright. Authorities have already arrested Devan Raper, 19, of Conway, and charged him with murder in the case. He recently filed a motion for a bond hearing but had it denied. Then, less than a week after the killing, deputies arrested Wright's girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, 17, and charged her with accessory before the fact. She's accused of bringing Raper to the location of the shooting, knowing that Raper was armed, 'and that there would be a confrontation for violence likely to lead to death based on statements made in her presence.' Earlier this week, Kistenmacher was granted bond. The solicitor's office told News13 on Wednesday that she is on an ankle monitor, cannot go outside except for medical emergencies, and cannot use any internet. Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye said the killing was over a girl and that it was captured on video. 'This was an altercation between two people. It's not like I'm just going to go to Johnsonville and shoot somebody. They had issues with each other and it was over a female,' Joye 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?' Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
