Mum who beat cancer four times 'shot dead by man in freak accident'
Jennifer James, 49, was inside her home in the Colorado town of Berthoud when a bullet pierced through her window and struck her in the upper arm and into her chest.
James managed to call 911 and told the dispatcher she had been shot, then collapsed and stopped breathing, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KDVR.
First responders performed life-saving measures on James, but she died of her injuries at the scene on the night of April 28.
She had been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 and spent two decades battling it.
'Jennifer was an incredible human being and was loved by so many people. She was bravely battling cancer yet again at the time that she was taken from us,' states a GoFundMe page for her four children, who have been left parentless.
She died 'from a senseless act of violence from a gun shot', it states, and noted that 'somebody has been arrested and has confessed'.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and spotted a Nissan Rogue SUV parked in front of James' home on 1st Street near Mountain Avenue around 11.15pm. The vehicle's headlights shut off moments later and the driver took off.
A vehicle matching that description stopped at a Conoco gas station a few blocks away.
Two days later, the Nissan crashed on Interstate 25 near Greenwood Village and the driver was identified as Ebenezer Worku, 20. Police body camera footage showed he had a handgun holster beneath his jacket.
Worku admitted that he had a Glock 22 handgun that he used for target shooting and denied knowing anything about James' killing.
Told that someone died, Worku appeared emotional, according to the affidavit.
He then admitted that he was not familiar with the gun that he had received as a birthday gift, and accidentally discharged it while in the middle of the road. He said he tried to clear the chamber and set off another bullet not know that a round was present, and that he thought it hit a wall.
Worku said the curtains of James' home were mostly closed and he did not think the bullet struck anyone, and that he drove away frightened. More Trending
He has been charged with first-degree murder – extreme indifference, and is being held at Larimer County Jail on a $1.25million cash bond. Worku is scheduled to appear in court on June 6.
'Jennifer was the epitome of sunshine,' stated the GoFundMe page.
'Anyone who knew her thought of her as the nicest person they had known.'
The fundraiser had received more than $55,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Belfast Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Minute's silence held at Croke Park for mother and children killed in Maguiresbridge
Vanessa Whyte and her two teenage children were honoured with a minute's silence at Croke Park on Sunday, just moments before throw-in at the All Ireland senior football final between the Donegal and Kerry men's teams. Ms Whyte (45), her son James (14) and daughter Sara (13) died following a fatal shooting at her Maguiresbridge home in Co Fermanagh earlier this week. Emergency services were called to the address via a 999 call from within the house, shortly before 8.30am on Wednesday morning. Ms Whyte, who was recently promoted to a senior veterinary role within the Department of Agriculture, was pronounced dead at the scene alongside Sara. James later passed away from his injuries at South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. The PSNI confirmed their lines of investigation include a suspected triple homicide and attempted suicide. Maguiresbridge vigil takes place as book of condolence opens at young shooting victims' former school Ian Rutledge – father to the teenagers and husband to Ms Whyte – is believed to have suffered self-inflicted gunshot wounds and is currently in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. He is the main suspect in the killings. On Sunday afternoon, just before the Irish national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, was played at Croke Park, an image of Ms Whyte, Sara and James was displayed on the stadium's main large screen, and the crowd led a minute's silence tribute for the three family members, who were dedicated players and fans of the GAA. Text on the screen at Croke Park read: 'Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha' – which translates from Irish into English as: 'May their souls be seated on God's right hand.' All three were 'beloved and active' members of St Mary's Maguiresbridge Gaelic Football Club and Lisbellaw Hurling Club. The hurling club said that Ms Whyte was 'first and foremost a devoted mum to James and Sara and they were the centre of her world'. A spokesperson added: 'James came to us at four years old, miles ahead of his peers in his ability and skill. He was a quiet, cheeky lovable rogue and at the same time a leader for his teammates as their captain a number of times over the years. He came up through the ranks with a small group of very close friends who forged a bond that will be forever remembered. 'Sara followed up a year later and even when she was the only girl on the team this didn't phase her, she could hurl with any of them. She was quiet but by no means a pushover and could stand up for herself on the pitch. She was gutted when the rules meant she couldn't continue to hurl after under 12 and there was no camogie for her to play. "Even after finishing playing, she was the boy's main supporter at every game, pucking the ball alongside them. Every function or event we held she was always Mam's right hand woman ready to run here and there as needed. We will all miss her quiet presence and lovely smile.' Meanwhile, a separate tribute from St Mary's GFC reads: 'Vanessa's devotion to her family and our games was well known, but to say she wore her heart on her sleeve seems like an understatement in Vanessa's case. Vanessa's heart was there for everyone to see each and every time James and Sara would take to the pitch. She had a passion for our games that encompassed everything good about the GAA showing dedication, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, and it was clear to see how Vanessa instilled these same values in her children. 'Captain of our U14 team this year, James' energy and drive was the heartbeat of our team and he had the confidence to be vocal and show leadership to younger team members. "During games his enthusiasm and strength of character was only echoed by that of Vanessa and Sara who would inevitably be cheering him on from the sideline. At training, those of us lucky enough to be involved would see James the joker. "His playfulness and sense of humour may have earned his teammates more push-ups than they would've like on occasion, but his light-hearted nature and kindness always enhanced team morale and made our time together all the more enjoyable and memorable. 'A part of our ladies club, Sara displayed a mix of quiet resolve with dogged determination. An exceptionally well behaved girl, Sara was a joy to be around and always had a smile on her face. Like Vanessa and James, Sara shared a love of all things GAA and their beloved County Clare, a regular source of playful goading, which we will now forever miss. 'Our club has lost 3 treasured members, and our community has lost 3 great personalities. It will take time to come to terms with this loss and our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives they have touched.' Ms Whyte was originally from Co Clare, and was an avid fan of its inter-county hurling team also. A prayer service will take place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ms Whyte's home village of Barefield tonight at 7pm.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
My brain FLIPPED in my skull as my head smashed against the road when a drunk driver ploughed into me then ran off
ICU doctors told James' family that he was the "most unwell patient on the whole ward" - but he now refers to the brutal smash as "one of the best things that has ever happened to me" HORROR SMASH My brain FLIPPED in my skull as my head smashed against the road when a drunk driver ploughed into me then ran off Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAMES Bradley was waiting for a bus when a car ploughed into him with such force that his brain flipped inside his skull. What was just a moment in the drunk-driver's life became a three-year battle to save James' through 10 gruelling surgeries. 9 James Bradley was in a coma for three weeks and had to have half his skull removed Credit: James Bradley 9 James is now writing a book to inspire others who suffer life-altering accidents Credit: James Bradley 9 He was struck down in a brutal hit-and-run in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in front of friends Credit: James Bradley James, who was visiting from Dubai at the time of the brutal hit-and-run on Bushey High Street, Hertfordshire, on Boxing Day 2021, had to completely relearn how to read, write, speak and walk in the wake of his ordeal. The high-flying project manager, now 37, tells Sun Health: 'I was just crossing the road and the guy hit me out of nowhere. I was knocked completely unconscious. 'He slung me from the right-hand side. I smacked my arm against the windscreen and smashed my head against the floor. 'I landed right in the middle of the road, and the bus nearly ran me over as well.' After stopping down the road just moments after hitting James, then 34, the driver fled the scene - leaving his innocent victim helpless on the tarmac. He says: 'My friends saw me in the middle of the road, then noticed the driver stop and get out of the car. 'He started swearing because he'd seen me on the ground. 'I believe he wiped down the steering wheel, then took his possessions and just ran off. 'There was a pub next door and he ran through the garden and jumped over the fence.' James says there were drugs and alcohol in the vehicle, and the car didn't even belong to him. I almost died after freak surgery accident AND bus crash, now I've won £65k in lottery win As James' panic-stricken pals waited for an ambulance to arrive, two heroic nurses, who were held up in the police cordon, rushed over to help. He says: 'Jodie Bannister and Mary Walsh saw me lying in the road and raced over. 'Jodie got her coat and wrapped me in it.' On the way to St. Mary's Hospital in London, James' heart stopped. Thankfully, medics were able to stabilise him in time to deliver him to intensive care. He adds: 'I went straight in to have a CT scan and then immediately into surgery. 'They had to cut open my skull to relieve the pressure on my brain. 'They said my brain flipped from one side to the other. The pressure on my brain had moved the actual brain itself.' 9 His family had to call the ICU ward via Zoom as there were coronavirus restrictions in place Credit: James Bradley 9 James and his brother Paul on holiday together before the incident Credit: James Bradley 9 James' elbow also shattered into 50 pieces Credit: James Bradley James' elbow was also shattered into 50 pieces, and he had to have sections of his leg and hip removed to help rebuild the joint. After his life-saving surgery, he was placed into a medical coma - one that doctors were unsure if he would ever wake up from. James' brother, Paul, says the family would video call the ward every day in the desperate hope for positive change. Paul, 40, says: 'Back then, we were still dealing with the ramifications of Covid, so we had to do a lot of Zoom calls. 'Every day he was in a coma, we phoned as a family and would say, 'Any change?' and they would say, 'No'. 'We did this for weeks, but it felt like months.' Miraculously, James defied the doctors' fears, and he woke up after three and a half weeks - but he's still got a long way to go. It's one of the best things that's happened to me because now I've learned the true aspect of life James Bradley James says: 'I'm still not fully there yet. 'I've only just finalised my rehabilitation three years after the accident because the injury was on the left side of my brain, which impacts your speech and language. 'I've had four surgeries on my brain and another four on my elbow. 'I still have one functional arm and two more surgeries to go, so I'm still not finished. 'I'll probably never be finished, but I'll always look to move forward.' James has also developed epilepsy and has suffered six severe seizures, one of which resulted in his head being re-stitched. His memory has also been heavily affected. Epilepsy after a brain injury EPILEPSY happens when the normal electrical activity in your brain changes. It's thought to be related to genes you inherit from your parents, or to changes in your genes, but it can be caused by brain damage. This includes a head injury, stroke or an infection. The Epilepsy Foundation says: "When there is a traumatic blow to the head, or a jarring or shaking of the brain, the impact of the brain against the rough edges on the inside of the skull can cause tearing of the coverings of the brain, tissues, and blood vessels that may cause bleeding. "The impact can also cause bruising (contusion) and swelling (edema) of the brain. "Since the brain is covered by the skull, there is only a small amount of room for it to swell. "This causes pressure inside the skull to increase, which can lead to additional widespread brain injury." Epilepsy cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it, including medication and surgery. Source: NHS, Epilepsy Foundation After a procedure to add new plates under his scalp to replace the missing half of his skull, he developed an infection. James says: 'Because I had my head open, I essentially didn't have a skull, just skin covering my brain. 'On the day that the tissue around my metal skull got infected, they had to cut muscle out of my face, just above my temple, to get into the actual infection part of my skull. 'When they do these head surgeries, you have to have half your skull taken out, and you lie in bed with the worst headaches for weeks. 'Then you come out again and have to rebuild. It was demoralising.' I was at the bottom of the barrel and felt I had nothing left in my life to live for anymore. I was completely broken. James Despite saving his life, the countless operations and the visible damage to James' face and head left him suicidal. He says: 'I was at the bottom of the barrel and felt I had nothing left in my life to live for anymore. I was completely broken. 'I didn't want to go outside. I didn't want people to see me. 'I hated the way I looked, so I didn't really want to go to the gym, but I eventually plucked up the courage to go back. 'Because I've been in hospital for so long, I've lost all my muscle. 'I've been trying to rebuild the muscle and get my life back.' 9 'I was at the bottom of the barrel, I was completely broken,' James says Credit: James Bradley 9 He had to re-learn how to walk, talk, read and write after he woke from his coma Credit: James Bradley 9 The high-flying project manager, now 37, says he 'feels sorry' for the drink-driver Credit: James Bradley Because the years after his accident were a blur of hospital visits, surgeries and rehabilitation, the severity of James' injuries didn't fully register until he returned to St Mary's Hospital for a check-up in 2022. After chatting about his time in the ICU, a doctor suggested he visit the ward where he spent weeks in a coma. When James walked through the doors and laid eyes on his personal nurse, Rebecca, she struggled to hold back tears. Paul, a personal trainer, says: 'These nurses have to be 'on it', and all they are dealing with is negativity and drama - bad, bad people who are close to death. 'Rebecca came out, almost crying, and told James, 'We never get to see the success stories, we never find out what happens when people leave here'. 'She turned around to James and told him how pleased she was to see him because he was the sickest person on the ward. 'I think that was the moment when it really hit home for James. 'I think until then, the penny hadn't dropped. In that moment, he realised he'd had a second lease of life.' 'Life is so precious' James, who once worked for Exxon Mobil, one of the biggest oil and gas companies in the world, is now writing a book. He hopes The Will To Survive will inspire others who have experienced life-changing injuries. But writing has come with its challenges. James says he often gets tired after looking at a screen for prolonged periods and sometimes the words don't flow as easily. 'I want to be able to help other people who have had similar experiences to me,' he adds. 'It will be autobiographical, but will be filled with things I've learned in my recovery.' As the car didn't belong to the person driving at the time of the incident, police were never able to charge him. For some, the injustice would be almost too much to bear. But James, who is now waiting to have more surgery on his arm and face, takes a vastly different approach and says the crash was one of the 'best things' to have happened to him. 'I feel sorry for him, really,' he says. 'I'm not saying that anyone should have to nearly die to feel this way, but honestly, it's one of the best things that's happened to me because now I've learned the true aspect of life. 'Life is so precious and it's completely opened my eyes - especially to how we should treat one another. 'I'm not angry towards him anymore, it's just one of those things you have to get over. 'He was obviously going through a time where he felt it was OK to leave me. I've not got hatred for the guy.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I was on crack at 14 and feral like a street dog - I should be dead'
Inspiring story of how mixed martial arts is transforming the lives of forgotten young men in Sunderland has been turned into a film tipped for Oscar success Violent teenage drug-taker Aaron was on a path of self-destruction heading towards prison or death until he received a shock to his system. Police were locking him up virtually every week and his loving parents, Danny and Elaine, had almost given up on the lost soul. But then he started going to fighter and community activist Steven France's Made 4 The Cage gym in Sunderland. Aaron is just one of many forgotten lads from a city ravaged by cuts and austerity whose lives have been turned around at the mixed martial arts gym. Aaron and Steven's stories of growth, discovery and redemption – along with those of Sam, Faiz and Lennon – feature in Poised, a powerful documentary being tipped for Oscar success. Aaron said: 'I was a bit feral. Honestly, I was like a street dog. If you got too close to us, said the wrong thing, straight away I was going at you.' He said the gym is 'the best therapy I've ever been to in my life'. Steven, 46, is battling the poverty and hopelessness, helping the next generation avoid the same traps that almost consumed him. He reached a junction in his own life 20 years ago when his father killed himself. He said: 'I had to say to myself, the writing's on the wall. The odds are not good. There's people around you who are going to prison for a long time. The way they were already coming to a dead end in their life at such a young age. We're thrown on the scrapheap. Your options are very slim, work at Nissan or a call centre. I'm grateful for those places but if you do have ambition it's hard.' Steven found solace in MMA and went on to become a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and an England coach in the sport. He said: 'It transformed my life and it's doing the same with these young lads. It's about me trying to get people from troubled, difficult backgrounds. Getting these kids, with some complex issues, to stick to what is the hardest sport. The main thing about MMA is discipline. You forget about everything because you haven't got time to think about anything else. It's that intense.' He added that the sport humbles people and is a powerful tool in the fight against violence. Aaron, 20, said: 'In 2020, I was at rock bottom. Drugs, fighting, getting locked up. I was taking MDMA [ecstasy]. At 14, I did crack cocaine. I lost loads of weight. It got to the point where my hair was falling out, I was that stressed. I was scratching at my face all the time. I thought I either make a change now or I'm going to live like this until I die. I thought the only way I'll get out of this is if I rob a bank and get millions and move abroad. Or just kill myself. I was either gonna end up in prison or dead.' When he was linked up with Steven through Sunderland's Positive Steps programme in April 2022, Aaron was told to be at the gym each morning at 5am. It was the shock to the system he needed. 'Every day I used to wake up and think, what on earth have I got myself into? I'm going there to get picked up, to get slammed back on the floor, to get picked back up, to get slammed back on the floor. It wasn't even physically draining, it was mentally draining. But over time you build a strong wall. 'It takes all your pain and all your past trauma away because all you're thinking about is fighting. Once you're at rock bottom there's only one way to go and that's up and this kind of sport will help you get there. Those who've got inner anger and just need a release, this is the best thing I've ever done that's helped me.' Aaron now works at events space The Point in Sunderland and wants to become cabin crew for Emirates. He is one of many lads who have been helped by Steven's programme. Sam, 25, spiralled into nefarious activities after losing his mum to kidney failure... until he found salvation in mixed martial arts. Steven said he was banished from Newcastle by his family and moved to Sunderland where his dad lived. 'Sam spent three months in his bedroom. His mental health was not good. And then he came across me and the rest is history,' Steven added. Sam and his brother now own a demolition firm which works across the country. Faiz, 20, left Iraq because of death threats and persecution. He walked from Minsk in Belarus to Calais and has had no contact with his family since. Steven said: 'Faiz talks about how hard it is to get to Britain as an asylum seeker. He was 14 and licking leaves to get water. Now he's got a full-time job, drives a BMW, got his own house. He doesn't do any martial arts now but it's fantastic he's part of society. He's a taxpayer.' Lennon was just 14 when he joined the gym to escape the streets. The film also highlights a 78% cut to the area's youth services in recent years, leaving people like Steven to plug the gaps. His project itself was nearly scrapped when funding was not available. He said: 'The money I get literally just keeps the project running. I feel like the North – and especially the North East – gets left behind. We're left up here to defend ourselves. We are the forgotten part of the world.' Steven hopes Poised will show the need for better investment in youth services. He said: 'Prevention's got to be better than cure.' Poised was celebrated at last month's Raindance Festival, where it was nominated for Best Documentary Feature and Best Cinematography. That means it now qualifies for British Independent Film Awards selection, which could take it all the way to the Oscars. 'I'm really trying to help other young people," said Steven. "There'll be other Stevens, other Sams, other Aarons. There'll be hundreds, if not thousands, of them across the country. Through me doing this film, we can try to make a difference.' He has certainly made a difference to Aaron's life. He said: 'I was watching the documentary and I seen my younger self and I just thought he didn't deserve it. I just wanted to give him a big hug through the screen. When I look back, I really did not think I was gonna make it past 16. I thought I'd have been dead or in prison. I think I would have if it wasn't for Steven. He showed me what I can do with my life.'
