A Louisiana teenager who was 27 weeks pregnant when she was shot during a road rage incident died, prompting a murder charge against the alleged shooter.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that 17-year-old Katelynn Strate, who was shot during an altercation with 54-year-old Barry West, died from her injuries on August 26.
Strate was 27 weeks pregnant when she was allegedly shot by West while sitting in the front passenger seat of a Ford Expedition with two other people on August 24.
Police said West fired at the Ford from his Dodge truck after the two cars “were tailgating and brake-checking each other.”
According to police, the driver of the Ford realized Strate had been shot and drove her to the hospital before calling 911.
After Strate arrived, medical personnel were able to deliver her baby via C-section. In their most recent update, the sheriff’s office stated that the baby “continues to do well” and is being treated in the NICU.
According to police, West claimed he was acting in self-defense. The defendant allegedly claimed he had been shot at by someone in the Ford Expedition. Police said there was no evidence of any other shots fired. There were no weapons discovered in the Ford Expedition.
West, who also claimed to work for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, was arrested and charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of illegal use of a weapon, and one count of obstruction of justice.
The sheriff’s office stated that after reviewing records dating back to 2007, they were unable to confirm West’s association with them.
After Strate’s death on August 26, one of West’s attempted second-degree murder charges was elevated to second-degree murder.
According to the sheriff’s office, Strate became an organ donor after her family realized she would not survive.
A GoFundMe page has been created to raise funds for the baby’s medical care and Strate’s funeral expenses.
