Katelynn Strate Obituary, Death; – The individual charged with a road rage shooting incident over the weekend in Louisiana, which resulted in the death of a teenage girl, is now facing a charge of second-degree murder.

According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, a 17-year-old girl was shot in the head during the altercation and passed away on Tuesday after being taken off life support. The agency, along with family members, confirmed that the deceased 17-year-old was Katelynn Strate.

Authorities reported that Strate was seven months pregnant when she was shot by 54-year-old Barry West on Sunday morning near Ponchatoula. Her unborn child, at 28 weeks gestation, was delivered via emergency C-section and is reportedly doing well under medical supervision, as stated by the sheriff’s office.

Strate’s family indicated that the teenager became an organ donor after it was established that she would not recover from her gunshot wound. As per deputies, West discharged his firearm into a Ford Expedition that was carrying three individuals, including Strate, during what is being classified as a road rage incident on North Hoover Road.

The sheriff’s office noted that the driver of the Expedition and West, who was operating a Dodge truck, were traveling in the same direction but began to tailgate and engage in “brake-checking” behavior towards one another.

West reportedly informed investigators that he believed the occupants of the Ford had fired at him first, and he claimed to have acted in self-defense by returning fire. However, detectives and deputies concluded that no other shots were fired and no weapon was located in the Ford.

Social media claims suggested that West was a former deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, but the agency stated that this information has not been confirmed. “Records dating back to the earliest available in our system [2007] do not indicate any employees with the last name West,” the agency remarked.

Investigators have stated that the shooting is still under investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to reach out to the Criminal Investigations Division at 985-902-2088. Family members have announced that funeral arrangements for Strate are currently pending.