17-year-old Katelynn Strate, was seven months pregnant when she was shot by a driver in a road rage incident earlier that day, police say. The baby was delivered via emergency C-section, while her mother was treated in the critical care unit.

Days later, police announced Katelynn had died as a “donor hero.”

The suspect who allegedly shot Katelynn, 54-year-old Barry West, has been charged with second-degree murder and three counts of attempted second-degree murder, among other charges, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

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Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office 25. Augusts plkst. 22:17 ·   ::8/26 UPDATE::

This evening, following her family's decision to give the Gift of Life, the victim in this case has officially become a donor hero.

The young mother has been identified as 17-year-old Katelynn Strate of Ponchatoula. Her 28-week-old baby continues to do well under medical care.

The charges against the suspect in this case, 54-year-old Barry West, have been upgraded to include one count of 2nd Degree Murder. The remaining three counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder remain, along with one count each of Illegal Use of a Weapon and Obstruction of Justice. Over the past year, the TPSO has maintained a consistent and diligent practice of proactively publicizing the activities of public interest occurring around the parish in a timely manner.

The timing of this specific release was guided by respect for the sensitivity surrounding the difficult end-of-life decisions this victim's family was facing. 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. On the subject of the suspect, if anyone believes they have had a similar encounter with this suspect in the past, please contact our Criminal Investigations Division at 985-902-2088 to file an official report.

Finally, we ask everyone to refocus on this family and join us in prayers of comfort and strength.

::ORIGINAL:: Pregnant Teen Shot in Road Rage Incident, One Arrested PONCHATOULA (August 25, 2025)- The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) has arrested a Tickfaw man accused of critically injuring a teenager who was 7 months pregnant during a road rage incident over the weekend. Barry West, 54, has been booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on four counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder, one count of Illegal Use of a Weapon and Obstruction of Justice. Around 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 24, the 17-year-old victim was in a Ford Expedition with two other people traveling down North Hoover Road in the Ponchatoula area. They encountered West, who was driving a silver Dodge truck in the same direction. The investigation has determined after the two vehicles were tailgating and brake-checking each other, West shot one round into the Expedition traveling in front of him where the victim was seated in the front passenger seat. [this statement was not confirmed by evidence]

When the driver realized the victim was shot in the head, they called 911 and drove the victim directly to the hospital. As a result of the investigation, it was determined while West believed the occupants of the vehicle in front of him had shot at him first, evidence has confirmed there were no other shots fired in the incident and there was no weapon in the vehicle the victim was traveling in.

At this time, the victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. The baby was delivered via emergency C-section and is doing well in an area NICU. Charges will be upgraded if and when the victim’s condition worsens.

“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.”

TPSO Public Information Office Contact Information- [email protected]

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Iryna Zarutska