Niece Reacts to Fatal Gas Station Hit-and-Run Arrest

Shira Barousse Northcutt, a 44-year-old Marrero woman, turned herself in to New Orleans police on Friday morning, and was booked into the Orleans Justice Center jail on counts of hit-and-run causing death and obstruction of justice-evidence tampering regarding the killing of 54-year-old Erica Gabriel.

Booking Details and Bond Requirements

• Northcutt surrendered to police on Friday morning and was booked into the Orleans Justice Center jail that afternoon.
• She is being held on a $750,000 bond, alongside a mandatory ankle monitor requirement if released, following her first appearance before Commissioner Joyce Sallah.
• Court records show prior Orleans Parish cases, including a 2021 unauthorized entry charge refused by District Attorney Jason Williams’ office and a 2023 simple arson guilty plea carrying a suspended sentence.

Brothers Gas Station Details Fatal St. Roch Incident

The sequence of events leading to Erica Gabriel’s death on Thursday at approximately 2:12 a.m., was detailed in a booking report obtained by Fox 8. Gabriel and Northcutt were both inside the Brothers Gas Station located at 3101 Elysian Fields Ave. in the St. Roch area. According to the document, Gabriel purchased items, placed her bag on top of her vehicle outside, and walked back inside to use an ATM.

While Gabriel was at the ATM, Northcutt exited the store and stole the bag from the top of the victim’s car. After a bystander informed the victim that the suspect had taken her belongings, she rushed out of the store, stepped in front of the blue sedan, pressed her hands onto the hood, and demanded that her property be given back. The booking report states that Northcutt drove forward, striking Gabriel, causing her to fall to the ground where she was run over by the vehicle.

While the victim remained pinned underneath, the motorist brought her car to a halt before shifting into reverse and driving backward over the victim a second time. After stopping for several seconds, the suspect turned left and fled the scene without rendering aid or calling the police.

Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Court Schedule

Northcutt would not provide any further statement without an attorney present and told police her vehicle was with her brother without disclosing its location. Following her arrest, she made her first appearance on Saturday afternoon before Commissioner Joyce Sallah to determine whether bond would be set. Her next scheduled court date is set for November 10.

Family members expressed grief over the violent encounter, with the victim’s niece, Kris Bryant, speaking to Fox 8 on Friday. “She didn’t have to do her that and then left her. … It’s unacceptable,” Bryant told the station.

Case Detail	Record Information
Suspect	Shira Barousse Northcutt, 44
Victim	Erica Gabriel, 54
Location	Brothers Gas Station, 3101 Elysian Fields Ave.
Charges	Hit-and-run causing death, obstruction of justice-evidence tampering
Bond & Conditions	$750,000 bond with mandatory ankle monitor upon release

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.