Days of Our Lives It’s NOT Rachel! It’s NOT Johnny! THIS is the REAL Culprit Behind EJ’s Shooting!
The mystery surrounding EJ DiMera’s shooting has rocked Days of Our Lives fans, leaving Salem reeling and speculating. The storyline—filled with betrayals, hidden motives, and red herrings—centers on who pulled the trigger that left EJ fighting for his life. Early suspects like his son Johnny and young niece Rachel seemed plausible, with Johnny’s fingerprints on the gun and Rachel’s trauma-driven motives, but EJ himself defended Johnny’s innocence. Now, a new theory has captivated viewers: EJ’s own brother, Chad DiMera, might be the shooter. With actor Billy Flynn exiting the show for a new role on The Young and the Restless, fans are connecting the dots and wondering if Chad’s exit will include a prison sentence for attempted murder.
Chad DiMera’s history with EJ is steeped in rivalry and uneasy loyalty. As the youngest son of Stefano DiMera, Chad has long struggled to uphold the DiMera name while distancing himself from his father’s cruelty. His love for the late Abigail Deveraux and his devotion to their children painted him as a sympathetic figure. But Abigail’s death in 2022 devastated him, and EJ’s more manipulative behavior may have pushed Chad to the edge. If Chad believed EJ’s actions endangered the family or threatened to unravel everything he fought to protect, it’s possible that rage and grief overtook him in a desperate moment. Perhaps he used the gun Johnny left behind—not to kill, but to warn. Tragically, the warning shot nearly proved fatal.
The theory grows more convincing when you consider EJ’s refusal to implicate anyone. Could he be protecting Chad, honoring the family’s twisted code of loyalty? Fans speculate that EJ knows exactly who shot him, but is shielding his brother out of guilt or love. This layered betrayal fits the show’s themes perfectly—deep-rooted family dysfunction, blurred lines between love and revenge, and the struggle between morality and legacy. With Billy Flynn’s final episodes slated through early 2026, writers have ample time to unravel this storyline. A prison arc for Chad would be fitting: emotionally charged, narratively satisfying, and dramatically open-ended—paving the way for actor Connor Floyd’s takeover as Chad in April 2026.
If Chad is revealed as the shooter, the ripple effects will rock Salem. His children, Thomas and Charlotte, could be left in the care of relatives like Julie Williams, while the DiMera power vacuum might prompt Kristen or even EJ to seize control. Characters like Gabi and Rafe could find themselves caught in the chaos, either clearing their names or seeking justice. For fans, Chad’s exit would mark the end of a major chapter. Flynn’s portrayal made Chad a fan-favorite, and a prison storyline would be a powerful send-off, perhaps even earning him another Emmy nod. As Days of Our Lives continues its legacy of daring storytelling, the theory that Chad shot EJ stands as a game-changer—one rooted in emotion, loyalty, and betrayal that ensures Salem will never be the same again.
