15-05-2025
Brave single mom was battling breast cancer for fourth time...then stray bullet flew through her window
A brave single Colorado mother who was battling breast cancer for a fourth time tragically died after a stray bullet flew through her window.
Jennifer James, 49, was undergoing chemotherapy when she was struck by a bullet while sitting inside her Berthoud home around 11.20pm on April 28, according to police.
Deputies with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office arrived at the home and immediately provided first aid to her after the bullet struck her arm and traveled to her chest. Unfortunately, James died at the scene.
Several others were inside the home at the time of the shooting. No one else was injured, police said.
On May 1, the department arrested Ebenezer Worku, 20, in connection to her death after capturing him on surveillance footage inside a Nissan Rogue in front of her home around 11.18pm, an affidavit reviewed by KDVR said.
He later admitted to police that he 'accidentally' discharged his firearm that night but did not know anyone was nearby, documents said.
Another video showed Worku at a Conoco gas station just before 11pm getting out of the car and appearing to interact with the vehicle's license plates before meeting with a driver of a blue 2002 Dodge Ram, records showed.
A day after the horrific incident, the Nissan was involved in a car crash. When an officer made contact with the driver, identified as Worku, bodycam footage showed a handgun holster underneath his jacket, per records.
Investigators also pinged his cell phone to a Cabela's parking lot where the driver of the Doge was seen entering the store and leaving with two boxes of live cartridges that he handed to Worku, the affidavit stated.
Both Worku and the unidentified driver of the other vehicle were taken into custody. A Glock 22, .40 caliber handgun with extended magazines was found wedged between the Nissan's driver seat and center console.
After waiving his Miranda rights, Worku told investigators he suffers from 'homicidal schizophrenia,' leading him to hear voices that convince him to harm others, according to the affidavit.
He also told police he was not taking his prescription medication for two years.
Worku said he got the handgun as a birthday gift from his 'adopted uncle,' who was later identified as the driver of the Dodge, documents said.
He said the weapon was only meant for target shooting at a gun range and was normally kept in a storage unit.
Before admitting to the crime, he told cops he met the other driver at another gas station to pick up another magazine earlier that night before heading to an airsoft facility in Erie.
He also told police he was driving his father's Honda CR-V because his Nissan was in the shop, the affidavit said.
Police then told him they had proof he was in the area and told him that he killed someone, which appeared to leave him emotionally distressed, per the affidavit.
Afterward, he got his story straight and told officers he met the Dodge driver at the gas station to pick up a marijuana cartridge and had taped his license plates to avoid paying for tolls on his way back home.
While on his way home, Worku said he 'accidently' fired the weapon while he cleaned it, adding that he was unfamiliar with the specific gun, records said.
He said he then fired the gun again without realizing there was a live round inside, per the affidavit. Worku is set to appear in court on June 6.
Worku said he was not aiming at anything in particular and had assumed the bullets would hit a wall. He also saw that curtains in James' home appeared to be mostly closed, so he didn't think he hit anyone, records showed.
After he fired the weapon, he turned his headlights off and drove away, Worku said.
According to the affidavit, he repeatedly told officers to 'put me in jail,' and added: 'I did it, and I'm getting punished for it.'
He's been charged with first-degree murder - extreme indifference. A $1.25 million cash bond was set for him.
The small Colorado community has been left reeling following James' tragic death.
She spent 20 years battling breast cancer after being diagnosed at the age of 29.
Loved ones created a GoFundMe page for her family during this difficult time, and remembered the late mother as 'the epitome of sunshine.'
'Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known,' it read.
She has left behind her four children who she raised on her own, the page detailed.
As of Thursday afternoon more than $65,400 was raised for them.
A celebration of life was held for James Wednesday.
