A Northshore family is pushing for justice after their loved one died in a road rage incident last year.
Barry West, 55, of Tickfaw, is accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Katelynn Strate.
West and Starte’s family were in court Tuesday as part of pretrial proceedings.
Strate, who was pregnant at the time of the Aug. 24, 2025, shooting, was in the passenger seat of a car driven by her boyfriend, Alain, when the incident happened.
Court documents reveal that both West and Alain called 911 during the confrontation, with each accusing the other of brake-checking.
West told the dispatcher that the people in front of him threw something at his vehicle, prompting him to fire his weapon.
Alain, in his call, screamed, “They shot my girl, they shot my girl,” according to court documents.
Alain’s sister, Kimberly, who was in the back seat, stated in court documents that she saw West display a gun before ducking down.
She then heard Alain scream and realized Katelynn had been shot.
Kimberly said she held Katelynn’s head as they rushed her to North Oaks Medical Center, where Katelynn later died from her injuries. Her baby survived and is now a thriving 10-month-old, according to the family.
During today’s hearing, West’s attorney requested a continuance to review video evidence, which Judge Jeffrey Johnson granted.
Addressing Strate’s family, who were visibly emotional and dressed in orange to honor Katelynn, the judge acknowledged their frustration with the delays but assured them that the case was progressing ahead of schedule.
Johnson also expressed hope to set a trial date during an October hearing.
Katelynn’s mother, Kristen Blow, said the process has been painful but vowed to attend every court date to fight for justice.
West, who is out on bond and required to wear an ankle monitor, was accompanied by his family in court.
His attorney declined to comment after the hearing. West is scheduled to return to court on August 3.
“She surely didn’t deserve to be done the way she was done,” Blow said. “She was just an innocent person in the passenger seat.”
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