The town of Berthoud, Colorado, is grieving the devastating loss of 49-year-old Jennifer James, a beloved single mother of four whose life was cut short in a tragic and senseless shooting. After surviving cancer four separate times, James had earned a reputation for extraordinary strength — a woman who kept fighting even when life demanded more from her than most could imagine.

On the night of April 28, 2025, shortly before 11:20 p.m., tragedy struck inside the one place she should have been safest: her home. According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, a stray bullet tore through her arm and chest as she stood inside. Despite her injuries, she managed to call 911 before collapsing. By the time first responders arrived, she had already passed away.

Two of her children were reportedly inside the home during the shooting.

A close family friend, Juliána King, launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the four children James left behind. In her tribute, she wrote, “She was bravely battling cancer yet again at the time that she was taken from us. Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine. Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known.”

Just three days later, on May 1, authorities arrested 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku in connection with the shooting. According to an affidavit obtained by KDVR, Worku told investigators he suffers from “homicidal schizophrenia” and claimed the gun had gone off as he tried to clean it inside his car, which he had stopped in the middle of the street where James lived.

He admitted that he fired two shots out the window — supposedly without knowing anyone had been hit — and fled with his headlights off, terrified of attracting attention. When he later learned someone had died, officers said he showed extreme distress, stating, “I did it, and I’m getting punished for it… put me in jail.”

Worku was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder under the classification of “extreme indifference.” His bond was set at $1.25 million, cash-only.

For James’ children, the loss is immeasurable. Her oldest daughter, Ashley, shared her heartbreak in an interview with KDVR. “It just makes me mad that such a senseless act of violence occurred, and you never think that’s going to happen to you,” she said. “She was the most selfless mom that anyone could ask for. She kind of devoted her whole life to us kids, so I’ll be forever grateful for everything that she did for us.”

In another statement shared with 9News, Ashley reflected on her mother’s long fight against cancer and the cruel irony of losing her this way.

“My mom was a single mom of 4 of us kids. She was a four-time breast cancer survivor. 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. Her resiliency is something that I have always admired and is something that I hope to carry on in her memory.”

Jennifer James survived battles that would have defeated most — yet her life ended because of a moment of carelessness and violence she never saw coming. Her story has left a community mourning not just the loss of a mother and friend, but the loss of someone who embodied strength, generosity, and quiet courage.

May her family find peace, and may her memory continue to inspire those who knew and loved her.