Hammond, LA – A Louisiana teenager, who was 27 weeks pregnant, has died after being shot during a road rage incident, while her unborn child was safely delivered via emergency C-section, authorities reported.
Tragic Shooting Incident
On August 24, 17-year-old Katelynn Strate was riding in the front passenger seat of a Ford Expedition when an altercation with 54-year-old Barry West escalated into gunfire. The vehicles had reportedly been tailgating and brake-checking each other before West allegedly fired at the Ford from his Dodge truck.
After realizing Strate had been shot, the driver of the Ford immediately transported her to a hospital and called 911. Despite medical efforts, Strate succumbed to her injuries on August 26.
Baby Delivered and Doing Well
Medical staff were able to deliver Strate’s baby via C-section, and the infant is currently being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Authorities confirmed that the baby continues to do well.
The sheriff’s office noted that Strate became an organ donor when it was determined she would not survive, highlighting the life-saving impact she was able to make even in death.
Alleged Shooter and Charges
Barry West was arrested and charged with:
- Four counts of attempted second-degree murder
- One count of illegal use of a weapon
- One count of obstruction of justice
Following Strate’s death, one of West’s attempted second-degree murder charges was upgraded to second-degree murder.
West claimed he was acting in self-defense, stating that he believed someone in the Ford Expedition had fired at him. However, investigators reported no evidence of any shots being fired from the Ford and confirmed that no weapon was found inside the vehicle.
Authorities also checked records dating back to 2007 and could not confirm West’s claimed association with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Community Support and Fundraising
A GoFundMe page has been created to assist with the baby’s medical care and Strate’s funeral expenses. The tragic event has prompted local leaders and the community to rally around the surviving infant and Strate’s family during this devastating time.
Road Rage Awareness
This case underscores the dangers of road rage and the potentially lethal consequences of confrontations on the road. Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the full circumstances and ensure justice for Katelynn Strate.
How can communities work to prevent road rage incidents from turning deadly? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
