Pontiac, Mich. — A jury has found Michael Webb guilty of first-degree murder in the 2025 shooting death of his fiancée, Rachel Wooten, in a case that underscored the tragic realities of domestic violence. The jury also convicted him of a firearm felony, rejecting his claim that the gunfire was accidental.
The verdict, delivered on July 16, transitioned the case from a contested account of a shooting to a clear declaration of guilt. Evidence presented in court revealed that Webb shot Wooten, 23, in the neck from close range on April 15, 2025, within their shared home while their infant child was present but unharmed. Just hours before her death, Wooten had texted a family member expressing fear for her safety, suggesting that the incident may not have been a mere accident as Webb had claimed.
Webb, now 23, had initially dialed 911 and reported the shooting, leading deputies to find Wooten mortally wounded and Webb nursing a non-fatal injury. Authorities quickly began scrutinizing Webb’s explanation of the events that unfolded, especially since his injury appeared to be caused by the same bullet that killed Wooten. Investigators determined that physical evidence did not align with Webb’s account of cleaning his gun when the incident occurred, prompting a more in-depth examination of the case.
The prosecution argued that the circumstances surrounding the shooting indicated malice rather than an accidental discharge. In court, they needed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Webb had intentionally killed Wooten. The jury’s decision to convict him supports the conclusion that they found the evidence compelling.
Key to the prosecution’s case was the message Wooten sent just before her death. Jurors learned of her alarming text, which served as an emotional anchor for the trial, portraying her fear just hours before the tragic event. While full details of the text exchange have not been made public, its significance lay in demonstrating a pattern of distress that Wooten experienced prior to the shooting.
Following her death, Webb was charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm offenses in 52-1 District Court in Novi. While initially presumed innocent, his legal status shifted dramatically with the jury’s guilty verdict. The case, which drew attention to issues of domestic violence, was tried by Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Shellbe Sanborn and Allison Krueger.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald criticized Webb’s narrative, asserting that he intentionally killed Wooten and subsequently misled responders during the 911 call. She highlighted the long-lasting consequences of the crime for Wooten’s child, who will grow up without their mother, emphasizing the profound effects of intimate partner violence.
Under Michigan law, Webb faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole for his first-degree murder conviction. Additionally, he received a consecutive two-year sentence for the firearm felony. The scheduled sentencing hearing on October 7 will formalize his punishment and address the specifics of his convictions.
This case reflects broader trends in intimate partner violence, with national statistics illustrating the gravity of such situations. Authorities have pointed to the substantial number of homicides linked to domestic violence as a pressing public safety concern. Prosecutor McDonald reiterated this point, framing Wooten’s death as emblematic of the domestic violence struggles many face.
Despite the guilty verdict, unanswered questions remain regarding the details of the incident, including the full contents of Wooten’s text messages and the specifics surrounding the trial’s physical evidence. Nevertheless, the established facts confirm that Wooten died from a close-range gunshot, leaving behind a grieving family and a young child. As Webb prepares for sentencing, the impact of this tragedy continues to resonate within the community and beyond.