Photo of Katelynn, a pregnant 17-year-old girl, on a boat at sunset.
Share this @internewscast.com

A 17-YEAR-OLD girl was kept on life support in a desperate bid to save her baby after being shot in the head in a road rage attack.

Seventeen-year-old Katelynn Strate lost her life in a tragic shooting on Sunday morning while she and her boyfriend were driving to his mother’s residence in Louisiana.

Photo of Katelynn, a pregnant 17-year-old girl, on a boat at sunset.
Katelynn Strate, 17, was shot in the head in a ‘road rage incident’
Photo of Katelynn, a 17-year-old pregnant girl who died.
Her killer, 54-year-old Barry West, has been charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder
Pink gender reveal.
Katelynn and her boyfriend at their unborn baby’s gender reveal party

The couple’s car and another travelling in the same direction began tailgating and brake-checking each other, according to local outlet Nola.com.

The driver of the second car – identified as 54-year-old Barry West – then began firing into the Ford Expedition.

Katelynn, who was seven months pregnant, was struck in the head as she sat in the front passenger seat.

She was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support while doctors performed an emergency C-section.

The baby is being monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Despite the little girl weighing just three pounds and 11 ounces, she is in stable condition, authorities said.

Katelynn could not recover from her injuries, her heartbroken family earlier revealed.

The family took her off life support soon after and preparations are underway for her funeral.

“[Her] mother is devastated,” family friend Katie Cancienne told Nola.com. 

“She just lost her baby, and now she’s a grandmother.”

Thug GUILTY after girl, 9, shot in head when gangster opened fire in botched hit

A GoFundMe campaign was started in her memory, stating: “We are collecting donations for Katelynn Strate, aged 17, who was tragically killed in a road rage incident in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, while she was 27 weeks pregnant.

“Her baby survived, and we need assistance to cover Katelynn’s funeral costs, medical bills, and the necessary baby supplies for her grandmother, who is now responsible for the baby’s care.”

Barry West was arrested and held at the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, facing four charges of attempted second-degree murder, as well as illegal weapon use and obstruction of justice, the sheriff’s office announced on Monday.

Sheriff Gerald Sticker said: “This is a senseless tragedy… with no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak right now.”

It comes as a young woman tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction following a CT scan.

Leticia Paul, 22, has a history of kidney stones and was at Alto Vale hospital in Rio do Sul, Brazil, for a routine examination.

She experienced a severe reaction to a contrast agent used in CT and MRI scans, which includes a special dye that enhances the visibility of organs and tissues in medical images.

People standing in pink smoke in a park.
The couple celebrated that they were having a girl
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Idaho bar owner faces death threats after viral promo offering free beer for assisting ICE

Idaho Bar’s Controversial ICE Promotion Sparks Backlash and Threats

Idaho saloon owner Mark Fitzpatrick has found himself at the center of…
Native Americans Praise Reversal of Biden Rule on Alaskan Drilling

Alaskan Drilling Decision Reversal Earns Applause from Native American Communities

The ongoing debate surrounding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has taken…
National Park Service drops free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump's birthday

Controversial Change: National Park Service Ends Free Admission on MLK Day and Juneteenth, Adds Trump’s Birthday to Free Entry Days

In a recent announcement, the National Park Service has revealed a new…
Wounded National Guardsman beginning to 'look more like himself,' remains in acute care: West Virginia gov

West Virginia Governor Offers Hopeful Update on Injured National Guardsman’s Recovery in Acute Care

A National Guardsman injured in a shooting last week in Washington, D.C.,…
Israel receives coffin believed to contain one of two remaining deceased hostages' bodies

Israel Recovers Coffin Believed to Hold Body of One of Two Remaining Deceased Hostages

In a somber development, Israel took possession of a coffin on Wednesday,…
Another must-watch moment for Michael Jordan as NBA great testifies at NASCAR trial

Michael Jordan Takes the Stand: NBA Legend’s Testimony Shakes Up NASCAR Trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Jordan, a figure synonymous with legendary achievements, recently…
Russia unleashes major drone, missile attack on Ukraine as US diplomatic talks continue

Russia Launches Significant Drone and Missile Offensive on Ukraine Amid Ongoing US Diplomatic Negotiations

In the midst of ongoing high-level discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and…
1 hostage remains with Hamas after latest body is ID'd

Breaking: Only One Hostage Left with Hamas as Latest Victim Identified

In a solemn confirmation, Israeli authorities announced on Wednesday that the remains…
Coast Guard is searching for a person, possibly in the water, after finding unmanned raft in Mayport

Coast Guard Launches Search for Missing Individual Following Discovery of Unmanned Raft in Mayport Waters

The Coast Guard and local agencies are calling on the public for…
Fix Council bill on nonprofit housing

Revamp Proposed for Nonprofit Housing Legislation: What’s at Stake?

The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), currently being reviewed by the…
Sydney Sweeney declares she's 'against hate' after American Eagle ad drama

Sydney Sweeney Speaks Out: Her Bold Stance Against Hate Amid American Eagle Ad Controversy

Sydney Sweeney has spoken out against hate, addressing the backlash from her…
ICE in Elgin: Federal immigration agent involved in crash on Highland Ave, 7 exposed to 'chemical irritants' on Maple Lane: Police

Immigration Agent’s Crash in Elgin Unleashes Chemical Hazard: What You Need to Know

In Elgin, Illinois, a traffic accident involving a federal agent sparked a…