Source: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Press Release of August 26, 2025
This evening, following her family's decision to give the Gift of Life, the victim in this case has officially become a donor hero.
On Sunday morning (August 24, 2025), the 17 year-old and 7 month pregnant victim was in a vehicle with two other people in the Ponchatoula area. In what was described as a road-rage incident, two vehicles were reportedly tailgating and brake-checking each other. Barry West (age 54) of Tickfaw and driver of the second vehicle, reportedly shot one round into the first vehicle, striking the victim in the head. The baby was delivered by emergency C-section.
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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.
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