Jennifer James, a four-time cancer survivor, was fatally shot at her home late last month. Court documents show that her 20-year-old alleged killer told police, “I did it … put me in jail,” after claiming he shot her by accident.
According to his arrest affidavit obtained by local Fox affiliate KDVR, Ebenezer Worku expressed regret for “accidentally” shooting Jennifer James while she was inside her home on the 500 block of 1st Street in Berthoud.
According to a press release from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Worku is the suspected shooter, and his affidavit details what he allegedly told police after being arrested.
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Worku claimed to have “homicidal schizophrenia” and hears voices in his head telling him to harm others, according to KDVR, citing the affidavit.
He allegedly admitted to being off prescriptions for two years and claimed to own a Glock 22 handgun, which he received as a birthday gift from his “adopted uncle,” who was identified as the driver of the vehicle Worku was driving the night he shot James while sitting outside her home, according to police.
Worku allegedly claimed he was driving south on 1st Street, trying to clean his gun, when it “accidentally” fired out the driver’s side window at James’ house. He allegedly told cops that he fired a second time while attempting to clear the chamber, according to KDVR.
“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 set up a GoFundMe page for her, describing her as a “selfless mom” who was fighting cancer after multiple previous battles, according to the fundraiser.
“Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people,” the description reads. “She was bravely battling cancer yet again at the time that she was taken from us.”