Left inset: Ebenezer Worku (Larimer County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Jennifer James (Viegut Funeral Home/Legacy.com). Background: The 500 block of First Street in Berthoud, Colo., where Jennifer James lived and was allegedly shot by Ebenezer Worku on April 28, 2025 (Google Maps).
Colorado mom Jennifer James managed to beat cancer four times, only to be killed by a random bullet fired at her home late last month, with newly released court documents revealing how her 20-year-old alleged killer told police, “I did it … put me in jail,” after claiming he shot her by accident, according to cops.
“I’m getting punished for it,” Ebenezer Worku told police about the regret he was feeling for “accidentally” gunning down Jennifer James while she was inside her home in the 500 block of 1st Street in Berthoud, according to his arrest affidavit obtained by local Fox affiliate KDVR.
A Larimer County Sheriff’s Office press release identifies Worku as the suspected shooter, with his affidavit detailing what he allegedly told police after being taken into custody.
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Worku said he suffers from “homicidal schizophrenia” and hears voices inside his head that tell him to cause harm to others, KDVR reported, citing the affidavit.
He allegedly admitted to being off prescriptions for two years and said he owned a Glock 22 handgun and that was given to him as a birthday gift from his “adopted uncle,” identified as the driver of the vehicle Worku was driving on the night he shot James while sitting outside her home, according to police.
Worku allegedly claimed he was driving south on 1st Street and trying to clean his gun when it “accidentally” fired out of the driver’s side window toward James’ house. He allegedly told cops that he fired a second time after he attempted to clear the chamber, KDVR reports.
“It just makes me mad that such a senseless act of violence occurred,” James’ oldest daughter, Ashley James, told the outlet. “You never think that’s going to happen to you.”
James’ family has started a GoFundMe for her and describes her as a “selfless mom” who was battling cancer after multiple fights in the past, the fundraiser says.
“Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people,” the description explains. “She was bravely battling cancer yet again at the time that she was taken from us.”
