Pregnant Teen, 17, Shot in Road Rage Incident Dies After Giving Birth to Premature Baby via Emergency C-Section By Becca Longmire 32

A pregnant teen in Louisiana who was shot in the head during a road rage incident delivered her baby via emergency C-section before she died, police have said.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, at around 9 a.m. local time, Katelynn Strate, 17, of Ponchatoula — who was 28 weeks pregnant — was in a Ford Expedition with two others traveling down North Hoover Road in the Ponchatoula area when they encountered the suspect, identified as Barry West, 54, who was driving a silver Dodge truck in the same direction, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) said in a news release shared on Facebook.

The TPSO stated, “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.”

“When the driver realized the victim was shot in the head, they called 911 and drove the victim directly to the hospital,” the post added.

Police continued, “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.”

The TPSO confirmed in the initial post on Monday, Aug. 25, that the victim’s baby had been delivered via emergency C-section and was doing well in an area NICU, while her mother was in critical condition.

The post was updated on Tuesday, Aug. 26, to confirm Strate had died following the incident, with police saying the family had decided “to give the Gift of Life” and donate her organs.

“Her 28-week-old baby continues to do well under medical care,” the sheriff’s office said.

West was initially 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. However, following Strate’s death, his charges were 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,” the TPSO said.

The post said regarding rumors that the suspect was associated with the sheriff’s office, “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.”

Sheriff Gerald Sticker spoke out about the incident in the TPSO’s initial release, insisting, “This is a senseless tragedy on Sunday morning with no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak right now.”

“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,” Sticker added.

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A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Strate’s grandmother, who will be caring for the baby, as well as helping to cover funeral expenses and medical bills had reached almost $25,900 as of Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The TPSO didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. PEOPLE has also reached out to GoFundMe organizer, Kristen Blow, for a tribute to Strate.