Woman Who Beat Cancer Four Times Killed by Bullet Fired Into Her Home; Suspect Apprehended After Investigation Reveals Contradictory Accounts
In a shocking tragedy that has deeply affected our community, a single mother who had bravely battled cancer four times lost her life recently to a bullet fired into her home. Jennifer James, who was 49 years old and undergoing chemotherapy at the time, was struck and killed by a bullet that entered through a window in her home.
This incident is particularly disturbing given the initial portrayal by some outlets. We’ve seen reports describe this as a “random bullet”. Some have even suggested the suspect was “just cleaning” his weapon when it “went off”. However, based on the information that has emerged, this narrative appears to significantly downplay the circumstances of her death.
Jennifer was a treasure member of our community. Jonah Beacons, who has owned B-ra’s Arcade and Family Center nearby since 2007, said this kind of event is unheard of here. This happened very close to home for many, including our business, being less than a quarter mile away.
Investigators have worked to piece together what happened. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed a Nissan Rogue stopping in front of Jennifer’s residence late at night, around 11:18 p.m.. Disturbingly, the headlights were turned off for several moments before the vehicle drove away. Footage from a nearby gas station captured the same Nissan just after 11 p.m.. The driver, identified as Ebenezer Worku, was seen getting out and appearing to interact with the license plates, suggesting an attempt to hide his identity.
Further investigation revealed that Worku met with the driver of a blue 2002 Dodge Ram at the gas station. The Dodge driver left, returned shortly after, and met with Worku again before the Nissan drove off towards South First Street around 11:18 p.m.. Automated license plate readers indicated these two vehicles had only been in the area once in the last 30 days.
Police located Worku and the Nissan in Thornton, along with the Dodge and its driver. The affidavit suggests the Dodge driver brought Worku two boxes of live cartridges from a store. Worku and the Dodge driver were taken into custody. A Glock 20 and 40 caliber handgun with extended magazines were found in Worku’s vehicle.
Worku spoke with investigators, waiving his Miranda rights. He discussed his mental health history, stating he suffers from schizophrenia and hears voices telling him to harm others. He admitted to being off prescriptions for two years. Worku said the handgun was a birthday gift from his “adopted uncle,” who is the identified driver of the Dodge. The timeline suggests he may have only had the weapon for minutes before the shooting.
Worku’s account of the shooting was inconsistent. Initially, he denied being in the county where the incident occurred. When confronted with surveillance footage showing him in the area, he denied knowing anything about the death. Appearing distressed, he later admitted he “discharged it but didn’t know anyone was near” on a city street. He also claimed he was cleaning his weapon while driving and accidentally fired it out the window, stating he was unfamiliar with the weapon and accidentally discharged it while pulling back the slide with his finger on the trigger.
However, he then gave a conflicting account, stating he stopped in the middle of the road before firing the shot, effectively stopping, aiming at the house, and pulling the trigger. He claimed he fired a second time while trying to clear the chamber. He stated he wasn’t aiming and thought the bullets would only hit a wall or stop short. He saw the curtains were mostly closed and didn’t think he hit anyone. He admitted he got frightened and drove away, turning off his headlights to avoid attention.
Despite these statements, we know he picked the house and fired into it. The media’s portrayal, suggesting he was just “cleaning it when it went off,” seems to be doing a lot of heavy lifting to obscure the reality of what happened.
Jennifer James leaves behind four children. A GoFundMe has been set up to support her kids after this tragedy. It’s incredibly tiresome to see a life lost this way.
Based on the investigation details and Worku’s own admissions, this was not a random act in the way some have portrayed it. Worku had a weapon, allegedly acquired shortly before the incident, was off his medication, admitted hearing voices telling him to harm others, attempted to conceal his identity, and ultimately stopped and fired into a home. We hope he is held accountable for taking this woman’s life.
