A second teenager has been arrested in connection with last week’s deadly shooting in Johnsonville that claimed the life of 16-year-old Trey Wright. Authorities say the teen suspect knowingly brought the shooter to the scene, fully aware that a violent confrontation was likely.
Gianna Helene Kistenmacher, 17, was arrested Monday and charged with accessory before the fact to a felony, Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye confirmed. She is accused of driving 19-year-old Devan Raper, the alleged shooter, to the scene of the crime while knowing he was armed and that the meeting could turn deadly.
According to Florence County Major Mike Nunn, Kistenmacher was denied bond following a court hearing. “She knew there would be a confrontation for violence likely to lead to death based on statements made in her presence,” Nunn told News13.
The primary suspect, Raper, of Conway, was previously arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Wright. Raper was booked into the Florence County Detention Center shortly before 10 p.m. last Wednesday. He appeared in court the following morning, where his first General Sessions court appearance was scheduled for August 19. He remains in custody, per FCSO officials.
Sheriff Joye said the altercation that led to the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the two young men — a conflict reportedly involving a girl. The confrontation 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,” Joye said.
“They had issues with each other, and it was over a female. The sad thing is, you’ve 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?” Deputies responded to the scene around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night and found Wright lying in the road with multiple gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the investigation remains active. Authorities say additional charges and arrests could follow as more details come to light.
The tragic incident has rocked the Johnsonville community, prompting renewed discussions about youth violence, access to firearms, and the lasting impact of impulsive, emotionally charged decisions among teenagers. Wright, who was a high school student in Florence School District 5, was described as a “kind soul who touched so many lives,” according to a GoFundMe.