A mother of four, who defied the odds by beating cancer four times, was killed last month when a bullet tore through her home.
Jennifer James, 49, was sitting inside her Berthoud, Colorado, home on the night of April 28 when 20-year-old Ebenezer Worku allegedly fired a gun from his car parked outside, PEOPLE reported.
According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, one of the bullets pierced a window and struck James in the arm and chest.
Despite her injuries, James managed to dial 911 before collapsing and losing consciousness. First responders, including a nearby Colorado State Patrol trooper, attempted life-saving measures, but James was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two of her children were inside the home when the shooting occurred, but were not physically harmed, police said.
James’ eldest daughter, Ashley James, told reporters, “It just makes me mad that such a senseless act of violence occurred," per The New York Post.
"You never think that’s going to happen to you,” she said, adding: “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.”
The suspect, Worku, was arrested three days later on May 1, after surveillance footage and license plate data reportedly led authorities to him. He told detectives he was cleaning his Glock 22 handgun in his car and fired it “accidentally” through the driver’s side window.
Believing there were no live rounds in the chamber, he then attempted to clear it by firing the weapon several more times, per the police affidavit cited by KDVR.
Worku allegedly said he thought the bullets would hit a wall and later turned off his car lights and drove off to avoid attention.
Authorities charged Worku with first-degree murder, extreme indifference. He is currently being held at the Larimer County Jail on a $1.25 million cash-only bond and is scheduled for a disposition hearing on June 6.
James had been battling cancer for two decades after being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 29. According to her friends, she was undergoing chemotherapy for a fifth cancer battle at the time of her death.
“Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine. Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known,” Juliána King, who launched a GoFundMe to help support James’ four children, said. “Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people.”
A celebration of life is planned for May 14.
Our thoughts are with her loved ones.