A Louisiana community is mourning the tragic loss of 17-year-old Katelynn Strate, who was fatally shot in a road rage incident on Sunday, August 24, while seven months pregnant……CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Strate’s baby girl was delivered prematurely in an emergency procedure and is now recovering in intensive care.
The shooting happened around 9 a.m. on North Hoover Road in Ponchatoula, about 50 miles north of New Orleans. Strate was a passenger in an SUV with her boyfriend and another person when they encountered Barry West, 54, driving a silver Dodge pickup truck.
According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, both vehicles began engaging in aggressive driving — including tailgating and “brake-checking.” Investigators say West then fired a single shot into the SUV when it pulled ahead of him, striking Strate in the head. The bullet became lodged in her skull.
Strate was rushed to a hospital in Hammond, where doctors placed her on life support in a desperate effort to save her unborn child. Roughly 30 minutes after the shooting, doctors performed an emergency C-section, delivering a baby girl weighing 3 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 16 inches long. The newborn is reportedly “doing well” in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) despite being born two months early.
Tragically, Strate succumbed to her injuries and was removed from life support on Tuesday, August 27. Her family made the heartbreaking decision to donate her organs, with the sheriff’s office confirming she had “officially become a donor hero.”
road rage incident leads to emergency c section
Doctors say 17-year-old Katelynn Strate has no chance of recovery following the suspected road rage shooting, and she is scheduled to be removed from life support on Tuesday. Photo- Facebook/Katelynn Strate
The devastating loss has left her loved ones shattered. Family friend Katie Cancienne shared: “[Her] mother is devastated. She just lost her baby, and now she’s a grandmother.”
Friends described Strate as joyful and excited to become a mom, deeply devoted to her family and loved ones.
ragic story louisiana mother shot baby survives
Strate was rushed to a nearby hospital in Hammond, where doctors placed her on life support in a desperate attempt to save her baby. Roughly 30 minutes later, an emergency C-section was performed. Photo- Facebook/Katelynn Strate
West was arrested following the shooting. He was initially charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, and obstruction of justice. After Strate’s death, the charges were upgraded to include second-degree murder, while maintaining three counts of attempted second-degree murder and other offenses.
West told police he believed the SUV occupants had fired at him first. However, investigators found no weapon in Strate’s vehicle and confirmed no shots were fired from her car.
The tragedy has sparked anger from Louisiana leaders. Attorney General Liz Murrill called the incident “terrible” on social media, writing: “This poor infant is fighting for their life in the NICU while his or her mother is on life support. All because of road rage? There is no excuse.”
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker called the shooting a “senseless tragedy,” urging drivers to remain calm: “There is no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak. Please be patient and considerate when driving, at all times, and if there is a concern for your safety, call 911 and report the concern.”
Now, Strate’s infant daughter is being cared for by her grandmother and great-grandmother, who are facing the sudden responsibility of raising a premature baby while grieving their own loss.
mother shot in head doctors save baby
Doctors delivered Strate’s baby girl via emergency C-section two months ahead of schedule. Though premature, she is stable and doing well in the NICU photo- Katie Cancienne Liebert/Facebook
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help with Strate’s funeral expenses, medical bills, and baby supplies. Additionally, a community donation drive to collect essentials for the baby is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at First United Methodist Church in Ponchatoula.
This tragedy has left an indelible mark on the community, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of how road rage can escalate with devastating consequences. While Strate’s life was cut short, her daughter’s survival offers a bittersweet glimmer of hope…..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
