A 17-year-old pregnant woman remains in critical condition after being shot in the head during what authorities describe as a road rage incident near Ponchatoula, Louisiana. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that the shooting occurred around 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 24.
According to the sheriff’s office, Barry West, 54, has been identified as the suspected shooter and is facing four counts of attempted second degree murder, one count of illegal use of a weapon, and obstruction of justice. “The 17-year-old victim was in a Ford Expedition with two other people … (when)… they encountered West, who was driving a silver Dodge truck in the same direction,” the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators stated that both vehicles were tailgating and brake-checking each other before West allegedly fired one round into the Ford Expedition. The bullet struck the teenager, who was seated in the front passenger seat. After realizing she had been shot, her companions called 911 and took her directly to the hospital.
Details regarding how investigators connected West to the shooting have not been released publicly. He was booked into Tangipahoa Parish Jail at approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday.
When questioned by detectives, West claimed he “believed the occupants of the vehicle in front of him had shot at him first,” according to officials. However, authorities say there is no evidence supporting this claim and no weapon was found in the Ford Expedition.
“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,” officials said. “Charges will be upgraded if … the victim’s condition worsens.”
Ponchatoula is located about 50 miles northwest of New Orleans.