A sickening act of violence took the life of a four-time breast cancer survivor, sending her entire Colorado town into a state of mourning.
As 9 News Denver reported on Saturday, 49-year-old Jennifer James was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in her Berthoud home late last month when 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku opened fire into her house. A single bullet struck a window and hit James in the arm and chest, killing her.
Police arrested Worku at the scene of the crime, which occurred on April 28. As FOX 31 Denver reported, Worku claimed to police that he fired his Glock 22 handgun at her home, but had no clue whether he had shot anyone.
Worku also said he fired his weapon again while trying to clear the chamber. Police said two of James’s four children were home when the incident occurred.
According to the New York Post, police were able to track down Worku after using surveillance footage and license plate reader data.
Jonah Beeken, the owner of B-Rad’s Arcade and Family Fun Center, provided a valuable account to 9 News Denver regarding the night of the incident. His place of business is located close to James’s home.
Beeken told the outlet that he received a text message on the night of the shooting from other business owners, warning of random gunfire and advising businesses to lock down. Afterward, police deputies searched the area and requested surveillance footage.
“They were walking up and down the street, kind of checking the buildings out,” Beeken explained. “It was our community, and it was somebody that was important to us, because we’re small.”
Beeken also noted that James left behind four children and confirmed that she was fighting cancer.
“She was a mother of four, and she was battling cancer at the time,” Beeken said. “That was the first thing her friend told me when she called me.”
James’s daughter, Ashley, sent a text statement to 9 News Denver, mourning her mother’s death.
“My mom was a single mom of 4 of us kids. She was a four-time breast cancer survivor,” Ashley James wrote. “It feels like a cruel joke that she was taken from us in such a senseless and violent way, when she did nothing but fight for her life since she was 29-years-old.”
“She never once complained about her treatments in those 20 years. She was the most selfless mom and did everything for us kids,” James added. “Her resiliency is something that I have always admired and is something that I hope to carry on in her memory.”
The New York Post reports that Worku has been charged with first-degree murder. He is being held at Larimer County Jail on a $1.25 million cash-only bond.
Anyone wishing to help support James’ children can donate HERE.
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