Inset: Barry West (Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff”s Office). Background: Katelynn Strate (GoFundMe).
A teenager from Louisiana, who was 27 weeks pregnant, passed away after being injured in a road rage shooting, leading to a murder charge against the suspected shooter.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release that 17-year-old Katelynn Strate died from her injuries on August 26. The incident occurred during a conflict with 54-year-old Barry West.
Strate, at 27 weeks pregnant, was allegedly shot by West while she sat in the front seat of a Ford Expedition, which included two other passengers, on August 24.
Police said West fired at the Ford from his Dodge truck after the two vehicles “were tailgating and brake-checking each other.”
Once the driver of the Ford realized Strate had been shot, they drove her to the hospital and called 911, according to police.
Afterward, medical professionals were able to perform a C-section to deliver her baby. The sheriff’s office recently reported that the child is “doing well” and remains in the NICU receiving care.
Authorities reported that West claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging he thought someone from the Ford Expedition fired at him. However, investigators found no evidence of additional gunfire or any weapons inside the vehicle.
West, who reportedly stated he was employed by the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, faces charges including four counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of illegal weapon use, and one count of justice obstruction.
The sheriff’s office stated that they could not confirm West was associated with them after checking records dating back to 2007.
Following Strate’s death on Aug. 26, one of West’s attempted second-degree murder charges was upgraded to second-degree murder.
The sheriff’s office said that when it became clear to Strate’s family she would not survive, she became an organ donor.
A GoFundMe page was started to raise money for the baby’s medical care and Strate’s funeral expenses.
