August 6, 2025

Four Teens Charged in Johnsonville Murder Case

News Summary

Four teenagers have been charged in the murder of a Johnsonville teen following a verbal dispute. The incident resulted in the victim sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, leading to tragic consequences. The suspects include three teens from Myrtle Beach and one from Conway. As the investigation continues, one suspect remains in custody without bond, while the others face various charges related to the incident. Additionally, Florence County is under a severe thunderstorm warning, raising further concerns for residents.

Johnsonville, South Carolina – Four teenagers have been charged in connection to the murder of a Johnsonville teen following a verbal altercation. The suspects include three teens from Myrtle Beach: 18-year-olds Hunter Matthew Kendall and Corrinne Elizabeth Belviso, and 17-year-old Sydney Marissa Kearns. The fourth suspect, 19-year-old Devan Scott Raper of Conway, was arrested earlier in June and is facing murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime charges related to the incident.

The tragic event took place on North First Neck Road in the Johnsonville community, where the victim, identified as Wright, was discovered lying in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds. Reports indicate that he sustained two gunshot wounds to the lower chest. Investigating authorities believe that Raper fired the shots after a verbal dispute escalated.

In addition to the murder charges against Raper and the three Myrtle Beach teens, 17-year-old Gianna Helene Kistenmacher has been charged as an accessory before the fact of a felony. Authorities allege that Kistenmacher brought Raper to the scene of the crime, fully aware that he was armed and that a violent confrontation was likely to occur. She has since been released on bond, but under strict conditions that include electronic monitoring and restricted movement, only allowing for medical emergencies.

As Raper awaits legal proceedings, a judge has denied him bond, and he remains in custody at the Florence County Detention Center, though he will have the opportunity to request bail at a later date. The investigation into the shooting remains active, with officials indicating that additional information may be released as they continue to gather evidence.

In a separate but related concern, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Florence County, with expectations of wind gusts up to 40 mph and potential flooding in the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) is monitoring strong thunderstorms, noting that hazardous conditions include the possibility of damaging winds capable of downing tree limbs and blowing around unsecured objects.

The severe thunderstorm warning for Central Florence County includes threats of winds reaching 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. Residents are urged to take shelter indoors during these severe weather conditions and to avoid driving through flooded roadways. Hydroplaning, which is the loss of vehicle control due to water accumulation on wet roads, is a significant risk during such storms.

In summary, the legal situation surrounding the murder of Wright remains fluid as multiple teenagers are charged in this tragic incident, while citizens of Florence County are also facing potentially dangerous weather conditions. Authorities continue to advise caution in both legal and weather-related matters as the situation develops.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER

FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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