Days of our lives spoilers: NEWS UPDATE! Rachel really didn’t shoot EJ, it was Krisren.

Who Shot EJ DiMera? The Salem Mystery Shaking Days of Our Lives to Its Core

Welcome, devoted fans, to another pulse-pounding installment of TV Day’s Drama Digest. Today, we plunge into one of the most gripping storylines Salem has seen in years—the mystery of who shot EJ DiMera. The twists are tighter, the stakes are higher, and the drama is more intense than ever.

At the center of the storm stands young Rachel Black, a character whose innocence masks a dangerous secret. Her cryptic actions and quiet evasions have everyone asking the same question: If Rachel isn’t the shooter—and she’s protecting someone—then who pulled the trigger?

The Night That Changed Everything

The shooting took place inside the storied DiMera mansion, a grand estate where luxury is built on a foundation of betrayal. On that fateful night, tension hung thick in the air. Old grudges lingered, hidden motives simmered, and raw emotions threatened to boil over.

EJ DiMera, both a charismatic leader and a divisive figure, had amassed enemies in every corner of his life—some within his own family, others still haunting him from past rivalries. No one could have predicted that a single gunshot would shatter the fragile balance in Salem, sending shockwaves through the community.

Rachel Black: The Innocent… or the Keeper of Secrets?

Rachel, daughter of Kristen DiMera, quickly emerged as a key figure in the unfolding mystery. Her blend of wide-eyed vulnerability and guarded secrecy makes her both sympathetic and suspicious.

In a recent scene, Rachel confronted Kristen with a cutting question: “Are you one of them, Mom?” The weight behind her words hinted at more than a child’s fear—it was an accusation. Kristen responded with calm reassurance, claiming she had been watching her daughter sleep the night of the shooting.

But Rachel’s own memories told a different story—of slipping out of bed, tiptoeing down the staircase, and witnessing… something. Kristen swore, “I didn’t do it.” Yet in Salem, words are slippery things, and Rachel’s hesitation was impossible to ignore.

The Hypnosis Bombshell

The case took a sharp turn when EJ underwent hypnosis with Dr. Marlena Evans. In fragments of memory, a critical detail emerged: the shooter was a woman.

This revelation cleared EJ’s son Johnny of suspicion but narrowed the suspect list to four women who were in the mansion that night:

• Ava Vitali – a woman with a vendetta.

• Gabi Hernandez – a fiery spirit with deep scars.

• Chanel Dupree – the unpredictable wild card.

• Kristen DiMera – Rachel’s fiercely protective mother.

The Suspects: Four Women, Four Motives

Ava Vitali
Ava’s history with the DiMeras is a tangle of love, betrayal, and vengeance. EJ’s recent business moves threatened her fragile empire, possibly pushing her to act. Her cool composure since the shooting only deepens suspicion.

Gabi Hernandez
Gabi’s relationship with EJ has been a battlefield of power plays and betrayals. Known for acting in the heat of the moment, could a late-night confrontation have ended with a gunshot instead of an argument?

Chanel Dupree
The youngest suspect, Chanel’s connection to EJ is indirect, but in Salem, proximity to the DiMera family is enough to get tangled in danger. Could her involvement be the result of misplaced loyalty or a desperate act?

Kristen DiMera
Kristen’s denial to Rachel was firm—but she’s also a master manipulator. If Rachel is covering for her mother, it could explain the girl’s fear. But is Kristen guilty, or is she simply the easiest target?

Rachel’s Dilemma

If Rachel saw the shooter, why lie? Her silence may be born of loyalty, fear, or both. While protecting Kristen seems the most obvious explanation, Days of Our Lives thrives on misdirection. Could Rachel be shielding someone no one has considered yet—someone who would upend the entire investigation?

Fallout in Salem

The shooting has left Salem reeling. EJ, now armed with the knowledge that a woman pulled the trigger, is determined to uncover the truth. The four suspects navigate their own private battles, each aware that the truth could destroy everything they’ve fought for.

For Rachel, the burden is heavy. She’s just a child, yet she carries a secret capable of tearing families apart. Kristen, for all her faults, is a mother willing to do anything for her daughter. But whether she’s guilty or innocent remains the question.

What Happens Next?

Will EJ’s memory sharpen enough to reveal the face behind the gun? Will Rachel’s loyalty crack under pressure? And is it possible the shooter is not on the suspect list at all, but lurking in the shadows, manipulating the chaos?

One thing is certain—Salem will never be the same. And in Days of Our Lives, the truth is always more dangerous than the lie.