KATELYNN STRATE
FROM THE TANGIPAHOA PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE:
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.
A 17-year-old, who was seven months pregnant, is on life support after she was shot in what authorities are calling a road rage incident. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker says the victim was in a vehicle with three other passengers in the Ponchatoula area and that vehicle was tailgating and brake-checking with another vehicle driven by 54-year-old Barry West. Sticker says West got upset and shot at the other vehicle, striking the 17-year-old in the head.
“It’s infuriating to me that, like I said, it’s a rural road, it’s a Sunday morning. It’s not like it was a traffic jam. Just a total disregard for public safety and human life,” Sticker said.
Stricker says the victim was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to her child.
“They did, as I understand it, an emergency C-section on her and the baby is doing well as can be. I think it is in NICU as we speak,” Sticker said.
But the mother is on life support, while West is in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on four counts of attempted second-degree murder. Those charges could be upgraded if the victim passes away. She’s currently on life support. Sticker says the investigation is ongoing.
“It’s still unclear to what extent, or who cut who off, or who was tailgating who,” Sticker said.
Sticker calls it a senseless tragedy.
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