She Survived Cancer 4 Times. Then a Bullet Ended Her Life
Jennifer James was fatally shot inside her Colorado home on April 28 by a stray bullet
Authorities have since arrested and charged 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku with her murder
James, 49, was a single mother of four who survived breast cancer four times since first being diagnosed at 29. She had been diagnosed with the disease a fifth time when she was killed
A cancer survivor and single mother of four is dead after being struck by a stray bullet in her Colorado home last month.
Jennifer James, who spent 20 years battling breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 29, died on April 28 after being hit by a stray bullet while sitting inside her home, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook. She was 49 years old.
Police were alerted to a shooting around 11:20 p.m. local time on April 28. The caller said a female was shot inside her home in Berthoud, Colo., a quiet town located about 50 miles north of Denver.
Deputies with the LCSO and a nearby trooper from the Colorado State Patrol rushed to the scene and began applying first aid, but she could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. Others were in the home, but no one else was hurt.
Investigators have since named 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku as a suspect after identifying him on surveillance video from nearby homes, KDVR reported, citing an affidavit. He was arrested on May 1 and allegedly confessed to firing the fatal bullet to detectives. He told police he was cleaning the gun in a car when he "accidentally" fired it outside of the driver's side window.
He attempted to clear his chamber by firing the gun multiple times, however, he didn't know a live chamber was inside and thought the bullets would have hit a wall, according to KDVR, citing the affidavit. He turned off his lights and drove off to avoid attention, he said, per KDVR.
Worku was booked into the Larimer County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder - extreme indifference, and is being held there on a $1.25 million cash-only bond, according to the LCSO. He is scheduled for a disposition hearing on June 6,
The LCSO said in its release that it is still investigating.
Friends and family are also paying tribute to James and her incredible spirit."Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine. Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known," Juliána King wrote on the GoFundMe she created to help raise money for James' four children.
She went on to say: "Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people."
Her friends also revealed that James was battling cancer for a fifth time and going through chemotherapy at the time of her death.
A celebration of life is planned for James on May 14.
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kobe and Gigi Bryant's Mural Is Vandalized for the Second Time in a Month. Now the Artist Says He's Moving It
A mural featuring Kobe and Gigi Bryant has been vandalized again The installation, located in Downtown Los Angeles, was targeted with spray paint shortly after its restoration was completed last week The artist, Sloe Motions, now says he will move the tribute to another locationA mural depicting the late Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna has been vandalized for the second time in a span of a month. The mural, located in Downtown Los Angeles, was tagged with white spray paint after it was restored to its pre-vandalized state on Friday, May 30, according to KNBC-TV. The 'Mambas Forever' mural on Main and 14th Street by Los Angeles-based artist Sloe Motions was first vandalized in April. The artist, whose real name is Louie Palsino, told the news station that he will now work to move the installation to another location. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Everything happens for a reason and we now want to reach out and get this piece done in collaboration with another business or foundation, all donated by us and no charge to the new location,' Palsino said in a statement. 'The project will be better than the last with a proper wall, whether indoor or outdoor, for our community and people to appreciate.' The artwork depicts Kobe in his Lakers uniform kissing his daughter Gigi, who holds a basketball. The words "Mambas Forever" are written next to them. Shortly after the mural was initially vandalized, Palsino established a GoFundMe to help with restoration — and Lakers star Luka Dončić promptly donated the entire $5,000 goal. "Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization and to me personally," Dončić said in a statement at the time. "I'm happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored." For Palsino, the incidents are not only marring his own tribute to the basketball icon, but also he fears they are affecting Bryant's legacy, he told CBS affiliate KCAL-TV. "We didn't want that disrespect to L.A. right here, and for people to see that, especially Vanessa," he said. "Kobe has brought nothing but light and insight and inspiration to the youth." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bloody Handprints, 3 Slain Sisters: What We Know About Missing Dad Accused of Killing Them
Travis Decker is wanted after being accused of murdering his three young daughters The sisters - Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5 - were found dead on Monday Decker remains at large as local authorities continue to search for him in WashingtonTravis Decker remains at large as police in Wenatchee, Wash., and the surrounding area continue their multi-day manhunt for the missing father suspected of killing his three young girls over the weekend. Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, were found dead on Monday, June 2 near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., after authorities tracked down their father's abandoned car near where their bodies were discovered, PEOPLE previously reported. Decker, a former military man, remains on the loose according to local authorities, who provided a description of the father over the weekend as the search began. Here's what we know. The Wenatchee Police Department said in a statement over the weekend that Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia were all supposed to be with their father for a planned visitation over the weekend. 'The visitation was part of a parenting plan, but he has since gone outside the parameters of it which is not normal and cause for the alarm,' police said. The girls were last seen on May 30 and found dead on Monday, June 2, two days after police first launched their public manhunt. Police have said the 32-year-old Decker has former military experience and should be approached carefully, PEOPLE previously reported. 'It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk,' police said in a statement in recent days. The Wenatchee Police Department said in its May 31 missing persons alert that Decker has recently been 'homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area.' At 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, Decker was last seen wearing a light shirt and dark shorts. He was also most recently wearing his black hair in a ponytail, according to police. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Authorities discovered Decker's pickup truck near the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Wash., where the three sisters' bodies were discovered, local Fox 13 reported. According to the outlet, investigators found two bloody handprints on Decker's truck while inside there were items like a blanket, food, and car seats for the girls. Police also discovered a wallet on the center console of the vehicle, according to Fox 13. Court documents obtained by the outlet also say that Decker's cell phone activity showed "he drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping.' Decker has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping, police have said. He is also facing custodial interference charges. A GoFundMe page set up for the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, has described the girls' deaths as 'heartbreaking.' "We are heartbroken to share that the girls have since passed ... the pain of this loss is immeasurable," organizer and friend Amy Edwards wrote. "I've known Whitney for years, we're both dance moms and theater friends [and I've] had the privilege of teaching Whitney's girls." The GoFundMe has raised nearly $400,000 in recent days. Edwards says the 'funds raised will go directly to Whitney to help cover final expenses, support time off from work, and give her space to heal without financial pressure.' 'Thank you for keeping Whitney and her girls in your hearts,' the family friend added. Read the original article on People
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
INVESTOR ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Napco Security Technologies
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In Napco To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in Napco between February 5, 2024 and February 3, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 4, 2025) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Napco Security Technologies, Inc. ('Napco' or the 'Company') (NASDAQ: NSSC) and reminds investors of the June 24, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that defendants provided investors with material information concerning Napco's overall expected growth and strength in the Company's hardware division. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Napco's ability to achieve its fiscal 2026 growth projections on back of its ability to both appropriately forecast and execute upon the alleged demand for its hardware products. On February 3, 2025, Napco announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, revealing a significant reduction in hardware sales for the quarter. The Company attributed the decline 'primarily … to reduced sales from 2 of the company's larger distributors.' As a result of the setback in sales, defendants additionally pulled back their long-term 45% EBITDA margin target, as they 'don't know' if the target can be achieved by the end of fiscal 2026. Following this news, Napco's common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $36.70 per share on January 31, 2024, Napco's stock price fell to $26.93 per share on February 3, 2025, a decline of about 26.62% in the span of just a single day. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Napco's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Napco Security Technologies class action, go to or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
