A 17-year-old Louisiana girl who was shot in the head during a road rage incident has died, officials confirmed, but with her death came the gift of life.
Katelynn Strate of Ponchatoula was 28 weeks pregnant when Barry West, 54, allegedly critically injured the teenager who was 7 months pregnant.
Strate’s baby was delivered via emergency C-section and TPSO say the baby was born at 28 weeks, 3 pounds 11 ounces and is “continuing to do well” in an area neonatal intensive care unit.
“This is a senseless tragedy on Sunday morning with no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak right now,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker. “The public has to be patient and considerate when driving, at all times, and if there is a concern for your safety, call 911 and report the concern.”
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Officials say West fired into an SUV that Strate was a passenger in after a tailgating dispute. The victim was with two other people, and they were traveling in the same direction as West, who was driving a silver Dodge truck. The statement says that the two vehicles began to tailgate and break-check each other before West shot one round into the SUV.
When the driver realized Strate had been shot, they called 911 and drove her to the hospital where she was placed on life support, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
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West claims he believed the occupants of the vehicle in front of him shot first, but TPSO was unable to find evidence to confirm the shots were fired, and no weapon was found in the victim’s vehicle.
West has been booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on one count of Second Degree Murder, plus the three counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Illegal Use of a Weapon, and Obstruction, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officials also moved to clear up questions surrounding West’s possible ties to the department.
“To address questions regarding this suspect’s association with TPSO, records dating back as far as our system currently allows (2007) do not show any employees with the last name of West,” TPSO noted.
Strate’s family has made the decision to donate her organs, and officials say she has “officially become a donor hero.” The sheriff’s office urged the community to honor her legacy by rallying around her loved ones — offering prayers of comfort and strength as they face this heartbreaking loss.