Pregnant teen shot in road rage row dies after giving birth via C-section

A 17-year-old who gave birth via an emergency C-section after being shot in the head during a road rage incident has tragically died.

Katelynn Strate, who was seven months pregnant, was rushed to a hospital in Hammond, north of New Orleans, where the baby was delivered early, 30 minutes after the shooting on Sunday. The teenager had been a passenger in a car when she was struck in the head by a bullet fired by a driver in a silver pick-up truck, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Ms Strate was put on a life support machine and a family friend had said doctors did not expect her to recover. Her baby, born weighing 3lb 11, is "doing well" in a neonatal intensive care unit but police have now confirmed that Katelynn had died, saying that she would be come a "donor hero" after the decision by her family.

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Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Office stated: "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."

Law enforcement said the confrontation - which happened around 9am Sunday in Ponchatoula, about 50 miles north of New Orleans - involved an SUV the teen was riding in and the silver truck driven by West. Police said the drivers of both vehicles were tailgating and "brake-checking" each other.

West allegedly shot one round into the SUV when it was in front of his vehicle and police said he claimed the occupants of the SUV had shot at him first, but evidence showed no shots were fired from the SUV and no weapon was found inside.

The Sheriff Office's statement read: "West shot one round into the (Ford) 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."

Family friend Katie Cancienne told the Nola.com that Katelynn's mother is "devastated". She said: “She just lost her baby, and now she’s a grandmother.”

She added: “These kids were just driving on their way to the interstate and drove past the wrong guy." Friends also told how much Katelynn was looking forward to becoming a mum “They just had a dynamic where you could tell there was genuine love there,” Ms Cancienne said. “The world ’s not going to be the same kind of place without her.”

While Sheriff Gerald Sticker said: “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.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family, it reads: "We are raising funds in memory of Katelynn Strate, age 17 who tragically lost her life in a road rage incident yesterday morning in Ponchatoula Louisiana while 27 weeks pregnant.

"Her baby survived, and we are now seeking help to cover funeral expenses for Katelynn, medical bills, and the essential baby items needed by her grandmother, who will now be caring for the baby. Any support you can offer is deeply appreciated."