Michael Devon Webb has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his fiancée, Rachel Wooten, in Highland Township, Michigan.
Webb, 23, was convicted of first-degree murder and felony firearm offences after a jury found him responsible for shooting Wooten, the mother of their six-month-old child, in the neck at close range on 15 April 2025.
Deputies responding to a 911 call found both Webb and Wooten inside the home. Wooten was pronounced dead at the scene, while Webb had suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound.
Webb initially told police that the gun had discharged while he was cleaning it. Prosecutors said he had instead deliberately shot Wooten before injuring himself and calling emergency services.
The couple’s infant son, Aspen, was inside the property when the shooting took place but was found unharmed. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Wooten had sent a message to a family member on the day of her death saying she was afraid for her life.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said Webb had “executed Rachel Wooten in front of their child, then called 911 and lied about it”.
“While this verdict holds him accountable, nothing can bring back Rachel Wooten or change the fact that her child will grow up without a mother,” Ms McDonald said after Webb’s conviction.
She described the case as a domestic violence tragedy and said more needed to be done to protect women and children living in fear and to help them escape abusive relationships.
