TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. — Authorities are investigating a road-rage shooting that left a 17-year-old pregnant teen seriously injured over the weekend in Tangipahoa Parish. The victim, Katelynn Strate, was in her third trimester of pregnancy when she was struck by a gunshot during the incident.
According to law enforcement officials, the incident occurred Sunday morning on North Hoover Road near Ponchatoula. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a road-rage confrontation between Strate’s vehicle, a Ford SUV, and another vehicle driven by the suspect. Witnesses reported that the two vehicles were tailgating and brake-checking each other before the suspect fired a gun, striking Strate in the head while she was seated in the passenger seat.
Emergency responders quickly transported Strate to a hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section to save her unborn child. Authorities later confirmed that both Strate and her newborn were receiving medical care, with the baby reported to be stable in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrested Barry West, 54, of Tickfaw, in connection with the shooting. West has been booked on four counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of illegal use of a weapon, and obstruction of justice. Investigators noted that West claimed he believed the occupants of Strate’s SUV had fired at him first. However, law enforcement stated that no other shots were fired and no weapons were found in the SUV.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the motivations and sequence of events that led to the shooting. The case has drawn significant attention from the community due to the serious nature of the injuries and the fact that Strate was heavily pregnant at the time.
Strate’s family and friends have expressed their shock and concern for both the teen and her newborn, praising the medical team for their rapid response that helped save the life of the baby. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.
This road-rage shooting underscores the dangers of aggressive driving and the potential for seemingly minor conflicts to escalate into life-threatening situations. Authorities remind drivers to remain calm, avoid confrontations on the road, and contact law enforcement if they feel endangered.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to monitor the case closely, and additional charges may be filed as investigators gather more evidence. The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and assist law enforcement in ensuring that justice is served for Katelynn Strate and her family.
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