A 17-year-old girl in her third trimester of pregnancy was gunned down in a road rage incident in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, over the weekend.
According to the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Department, Katelynn Strate was a passenger in a vehicle with two others when another driver began tailgating them.
The other driver, 54-year-old Barry West, fired a shot, and it struck Katelynn Strate in the head.
Katelynn Strate delivered her baby at 27 weeks before she was taken off life support. The baby is reportedly healthy and in the NICU.
West was booked and charged with “four counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice.” His charges will be upgraded since the victim was taken off life support, the sheriff’s office said.
“We are raising funds in memory of Katelynn Strate, age 17 who tragically lost her life in a road rage incident yesterday morning in Ponchatoula Louisiana while 27 weeks pregnant. Her baby survived, and we are now seeking help to cover funeral expenses for Katelynn, medical bills, and the essential baby items needed by her grandmother, who will now be caring for the baby. Any support you can offer is deeply appreciated,” the family said on a GoFundMe page.
WBRZ reported:
A 17-year-old who was in her third trimester of pregnancy was shot in a road-rage incident over the weekend in Tangipahoa Parish.