Latest news with #Worku
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Colorado woman who survived four cancer battles killed by stray bullet in her home
A Colorado mother who battled breast cancer four times has died after being struck by a stray bullet inside her home, according to a report by The People. Jennifer James, 49, a single mother of four, passed away on April 28 in Berthoud, Colorado – a quiet town roughly 50 miles north of Denver – after a bullet entered her house and struck her as she sat inside. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) confirmed the news in a statement on Facebook. Check out the post here: Authorities were called to the scene at around 11:20 pm local time. First responders, including deputies from LCSO and a Colorado State Patrol trooper, immediately rendered first aid. Despite their efforts, James was pronounced dead at the scene. Several other individuals were in the home at the time, but no one else was injured. According to local station KDVR, police identified 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku as a suspect through surveillance footage captured from neighbouring homes. He was taken into custody on May 1 and allegedly admitted to firing the gun. Worku told detectives he was cleaning his firearm in a car when it discharged outside the driver's side window. He claimed he was unaware there was a live round in the chamber and believed the bullets would strike a wall, according to the affidavit cited by KDVR. After the incident, Worku reportedly turned off the vehicle's lights and left the area to avoid drawing attention. He now faces a charge of first-degree murder – extreme indifference – and is being held in the Larimer County Jail on a $1.25 million cash-only bond. A disposition hearing is scheduled for June 6. The sheriff's office confirmed the investigation remains active. As per the outlet, Jennifer James was known for her strength and generous spirit. Friends shared that she had been fighting cancer for the fifth time and undergoing chemotherapy at the time of her death. 'Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine. Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known,' wrote close friend Juliána King on a GoFundMe page launched to support James' four children. King added, 'Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people.'
NDTV
14-05-2025
- NDTV
US Woman Who Survived Cancer Four Times Killed By Stray Bullet At Home
A Colorado woman who bravely battled cancer four times was tragically shot dead by a stray bullet while inside her home. Jennifer James, 49, was struck in the chest by a bullet that pierced through her window in the town of Berthoud on April 28, the People reported. The single mother of four managed to call 911 before collapsing. Despite efforts by first responders, she died at the scene. James, diagnosed with breast cancer at 29, had spent two decades fighting the disease. A GoFundMe page set up for her children describes her as "an incredible human being" and notes she was undergoing cancer treatment again at the time of her death. Police arrested 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku, who allegedly fired the fatal shot. According to an arrest affidavit, Worku told authorities he unintentionally discharged a handgun in the street outside James' home. He reportedly claimed he didn't realise the bullet had entered the house, saying the curtains were closed and he thought the bullet had hit a wall. Worku, who also told officers he suffers from "homicidal schizophrenia" and hears voices, has been charged with first-degree murder under the "extreme indifference" statute. He is being held on a $1.25 million bond and is expected to appear in court on June 6. James' daughter, Ashley, expressed her grief to local media, saying: "You never think something like this could happen to you." The GoFundMe campaign to support James' children has raised over $63,505 so far, with loved ones remembering her as "the epitome of sunshine."
Metro
13-05-2025
- Metro
Mum who beat cancer four times 'shot dead by man in freak accident'
A single mother who overcame cancer four times was allegedly shot dead by a man who claimed he accidentally fired his gun and didn't see anyone home. Jennifer James, 49, was inside her home in the Colorado town of Berthoud when a bullet pierced through her window and struck her in the upper arm and into her chest. James managed to call 911 and told the dispatcher she had been shot, then collapsed and stopped breathing, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KDVR. First responders performed life-saving measures on James, but she died of her injuries at the scene on the night of April 28. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 and spent two decades battling it. 'Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people. She was bravely battling cancer yet again at the time that she was taken from us,' states a GoFundMe page for her four children, who have been left parentless. She died 'from a senseless act of violence from a gun shot', it states, and noted that 'somebody has been arrested and has confessed'. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and spotted a Nissan Rogue SUV parked in front of James' home on 1st Street near Mountain Avenue around 11.15pm. The vehicle's headlights shut off moments later and the driver took off. A vehicle matching that description stopped at a Conoco gas station a few blocks away. Two days later, the Nissan crashed on Interstate 25 near Greenwood Village and the driver was identified as Ebenezer Worku, 20. Police body camera footage showed he had a handgun holster beneath his jacket. Worku admitted that he had a Glock 22 handgun that he used for target shooting and denied knowing anything about James' killing. Told that someone died, Worku appeared emotional, according to the affidavit. He then admitted that he was not familiar with the gun that he had received as a birthday gift, and accidentally discharged it while in the middle of the road. He said he tried to clear the chamber and set off another bullet not know that a round was present, and that he thought it hit a wall. Worku said the curtains of James' home were mostly closed and he did not think the bullet struck anyone, and that he drove away frightened. More Trending He has been charged with first-degree murder – extreme indifference, and is being held at Larimer County Jail on a $1.25million cash bond. Worku is scheduled to appear in court on June 6. 'Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine,' stated the GoFundMe page. 'Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known.' The fundraiser had received more than $55,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Prison officer caught sneaking into cupboard with inmate she 'proper fell in love with' is jailed MORE: Trump fawns over Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on Middle East tour MORE: Teenagers laughed after killing pensioner by torching his home with fireworks
