Days of Our Lives Spoilers: NEWS UPDATE! Rachel Didn’t Shoot EJ — The Real Shooter Was Kristen!

Salem’s heartbeat has quickened yet again, and loyal Days of Our Lives fans know why.
The mystery surrounding EJ DiMera’s shooting has twisted into something darker, deeper, and far more explosive than anyone imagined. At first, all eyes turned to young Rachel Black — the fragile yet fiercely loyal daughter of Kristen DiMera. Her evasive answers, half-truths, and lingering glances painted a picture of a child burdened with a terrible secret. But now, the truth cuts like a knife through the fog: Rachel wasn’t the shooter. The person who pulled the trigger was none other than her own mother — Kristen.

The Night That Shattered Salem

The DiMera mansion, a place where polished marble hides centuries of betrayal, was simmering with tension on the night everything changed. Guests moved through its echoing halls like chess pieces, each with unspoken grievances and silent vendettas. EJ DiMera — the charming, calculating, and often infuriating head of the family — had spent years collecting enemies like trophies. Some were business rivals, others were scorned lovers, and a few were members of his own bloodline.

No one could have predicted that a single shot, fired in the heat of the moment, would ripple through Salem like a tidal wave. That gunshot wasn’t just the sound of violence — it was the shattering of alliances, the igniting of feuds, and the beginning of a war.

Rachel Black: The Girl Who Knew Too Much

Rachel’s role in the aftermath became instantly pivotal. Her youth and vulnerability made her seem like an unlikely suspect — yet her guarded demeanor told another story. She wasn’t just a frightened child; she was a witness.

In a tense scene that still has fans reeling, Rachel confronted her mother. Her voice trembled but carried a sharp edge: “Are you one of them, Mom?” The question hung heavy in the air, both accusation and plea. Kristen’s face was unreadable — the perfect mask of maternal calm — as she claimed she had been watching Rachel sleep that night. But Rachel’s memories wouldn’t stay buried. She remembered tiptoeing down the stairs, the flicker of light from the study, the muffled voices, and the unmistakable tension that filled the air.

Kristen, with that trademark DiMera composure, swore softly, “I didn’t do it.” But in Salem, a denial is often just the first move in a dangerous game.

A Mother’s Crime, A Daughter’s Silence

When the hypnosis session with Dr. Marlena Evans revealed that the shooter was a woman, suspicion tightened like a noose. The pool of suspects shrank to four: Ava Vitali, Gabi Hernandez, Chanel Dupree… and Kristen DiMera herself.

And yet, while the others had motives, Kristen had something far more dangerous: intimate access to EJ, a complicated history tangled with love and betrayal, and a willingness to do whatever it took to get her way.

If Rachel had seen her mother raise that gun, the emotional weight of such a revelation would be unbearable. What is loyalty in a family like the DiMeras — a shield, or a chain? Rachel’s silence speaks volumes. She’s not just protecting Kristen from the law; she’s protecting herself from the shattering truth that her mother, the woman she loves and fears in equal measure, crossed a line that can never be uncrossed.

Kristen’s Motive: Passion, Power, and Revenge

Why would Kristen risk everything? For Kristen DiMera, love and hate often blur into the same color. Her relationship with EJ has been a storm — moments of intoxicating alliance followed by betrayal sharp enough to draw blood. Recent power struggles within the DiMera empire may have pushed her to a breaking point. To Kristen, eliminating EJ may have felt like reclaiming control, avenging a slight, or protecting Rachel from a future she couldn’t bear.

Kristen’s mind doesn’t work like most people’s. She plays the long game. If this shooting was her move, it wasn’t out of impulse — it was a calculated strike wrapped in the chaos of the night.

The Ripple Effect Across Salem

EJ’s recovery is slow but fueled by something beyond survival — vengeance. The hypnosis session gave him a lifeline, narrowing the suspect list and sharpening his focus. Every interaction he has now is tinged with suspicion. His questions to Kristen carry hidden barbs. His gaze lingers a little too long when he looks at Rachel, as if searching for the truth behind her guarded eyes.

Ava, Gabi, and Chanel are also feeling the heat. The revelation that the shooter was female has put their names in headlines and whispers alike. Salem’s rumor mill is merciless, and guilt by association can ruin reputations overnight.

Meanwhile, Rachel is crumbling under the weight of her secret. Her once-playful energy has dimmed. She hesitates before speaking, watches doors instead of walking through them, and flinches at raised voices. The psychological toll on her is immense, and Kristen — for all her ruthless cunning — knows it. That’s the thing about Kristen: her love for Rachel is real, but it exists in the same heart that can pull a trigger without hesitation.

A Dangerous Game of Truth and Lies

Every step forward in this investigation feels like a step into quicksand. Salem thrives on misdirection, and this case is no exception. Was Kristen acting alone? Or was she part of a larger plan — a plan Rachel may have glimpsed without fully understanding?

Some theories in Salem suggest Rachel might not even know the whole truth. Perhaps she saw the shot fired, but from the shadows, unable to see who stood behind the gun. Maybe Kristen’s frantic reassurances aren’t lies in her mind, but carefully chosen half-truths to keep her daughter from realizing the full scope of her crimes.

The Road Ahead: Confrontations and Consequences

The truth always surfaces in Salem — but never cleanly. When it does, it tears through relationships like a storm. If EJ learns that Kristen was the shooter, the fallout will be nuclear. The DiMera family, already fractured, could splinter beyond repair.

For Rachel, the revelation would be a devastating betrayal. Protecting her mother may feel like loyalty now, but what happens when she realizes Kristen’s actions have destroyed the very life she was trying to shield?

As for Kristen, if cornered, she won’t go quietly. She’s a master at flipping the narrative, turning herself from predator to victim with a few well-placed words. Salem has seen her escape justice before, but this time, with her daughter’s innocence on the line, the stakes are higher than ever.

The mansion’s halls may seem quiet now, but beneath the polished floors and velvet drapes, the ground is shifting. Secrets are restless things — and this one is too big to stay buried.

Fans, hold on to your seats. The storm is far from over.