Pregnant Teen Shot in Ponchatoula Road Rage Incident

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) has arrested 54 year-old Barry West of Tickfaw. West is accused of critically injuring a teenager who was 7 months pregnant during a road rage incident over the weekend. West was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on four counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Illegal Use of a Weapon and Obstruction of Justice.

Around 9 a.m. on Sunday (August 24, 2025), the 17-year-old victim was in a Ford Expedition with two other people

traveling down North Hoover Road in the Ponchatoula area. They encountered West, who was driving a silver Dodge truck in the same direction. 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.

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.

At this time, the victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. The baby was delivered via emergency C-section and is doing well in an area NICU.

Charges will be upgraded if and when the victim’s condition worsens.

“This is a senseless tragedy on Sunday morning with no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak right now,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker, “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.”