After nearly 20 years of courageously fighting cancer, a Colorado mother’s life ended in tragedy when bullets pierced her home as she once again underwent chemotherapy.
Jennifer James, a 49-year-old single mom of four from Berthoud, Colorado, had survived cancer four times. On April 28, 2025, just before 11:20 p.m., a bullet fired through her window struck her in the arm and chest. She managed to call 911 before collapsing, but died before first responders arrived.
“She was bravely battling cancer yet again,” wrote Juliána King, who created a GoFundMe for James’ children.
On May 1, police arrested 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku. According to an affidavit, Worku—who claimed to suffer from “homicidal schizophrenia”—said he accidentally fired the gun while cleaning it in his car outside James’ home. After learning someone had died, he reportedly confessed, saying, “I did it…put me in jail.” He now faces a first-degree murder charge and a $1.25 million cash-only bond.
James’ children are devastated. “She was the most selfless mom,” said her oldest daughter, Ashley. “It feels like a cruel joke that she survived cancer four times only to be taken this way.”
As the community gathered on May 14 to honor her, they remembered not just the tragedy, but James’ resilience, love for her children, and the light she brought to everyone around her.