A Michigan jury has convicted a 23-year-old man of first-degree murder after prosecutors said he intentionally shot and killed his fiancée in front of their six-month-old child before falsely claiming the shooting was an accident that occurred while he was cleaning his firearm.
According to the Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Michael Devon Webb was found guilty of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in the April 2025 death of his fiancée, Rachel Wooten.
Prosecutors Say Victim Was Shot at Close Range
Authorities said the fatal shooting occurred on April 15, 2025, at the couple’s home in Highland Township, located about 40 miles northwest of Detroit.
According to prosecutors, Webb shot Wooten in the neck at very close range. The couple lived together and shared a six-month-old child.
Investigators maintained throughout the case that the shooting was intentional.
Text Message Revealed Victim’s Fear
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that Wooten had sent a text message to a family member on the same day she was killed.
According to the prosecution, the message stated that she was afraid for her life, and it became an important piece of evidence presented to the jury during the murder trial.
Webb Called 911 After the Shooting
Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple’s home in the 200 block of Maple Drive after receiving a report of a shooting at approximately 4 p.m.
Authorities said Webb called 911 himself and told the dispatcher that he had shot both his fiancée and himself.
When officers arrived, they found Wooten fatally wounded. The couple’s six-month-old child was inside the home but was not injured.
Claimed Shooting Was an Accident
According to prosecutors, Webb suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound that investigators believe was self-inflicted.
He reportedly told police that the shooting was accidental and claimed he had been cleaning his gun when it discharged.
However, investigators said the evidence collected at the scene did not support that explanation.
Police also determined that Webb’s injury appeared to have been caused by the same bullet that killed Wooten.
Prosecutor Reacts to Verdict
Following the conviction, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said the evidence showed Webb intentionally killed Wooten before falsely claiming the shooting was accidental.
She stated that the verdict holds Webb accountable but cannot undo the loss suffered by Wooten’s family or the fact that their child will grow up without a mother.
McDonald also said more needs to be done to protect victims of domestic violence and help prevent similar tragedies.
Sentencing Scheduled
Michael Devon Webb is scheduled to be sentenced on October 7.
He remains convicted of first-degree murder and a firearm-related felony following the jury’s verdict. Under the U.S. legal system, a conviction is reached after prosecutors present their evidence at trial, and sentencing determines the punishment imposed by the court.
