Doctors save life of baby after pregnant teen shot in head during road rage situation, sheriff says

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) – A man in Louisiana has been arrested after authorities say he shot a pregnant teenager in the head during a road rage situation.

According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, 54-year-old Barry West is charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice.

He is being held in the Tangipahoa Parish Jail.

Deputies said the shooting happened around 9 a.m. Sunday on North Hoover Road near Ponchatoula.

Investigators believe West and another vehicle — a Ford Expedition carrying the 17-year-old victim and two others — were tailgating and brake-checking each other before West fired a shot into the SUV.

The teen, who was seven months pregnant, was struck in the head while sitting in the front passenger seat. The driver rushed her to a hospital, where doctors performed an emergency C-section.

The baby is stable in a neonatal intensive care unit, authorities said.

West told deputies he believed the people in the Expedition had fired at him first, but investigators said evidence shows no other shots were fired and no weapon was found in the SUV.

The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities said charges against West could be upgraded if her condition worsens.

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