Suspect in New Orleans gas station death deliberately ran over victim twice, court records say

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A Marrero woman accused of a fatal hit-and-run at a St. Roch-area gas station deliberately ran over her victim twice after stealing her goods, according to an investigation detailed in court records.

The account of 54-year-old victim Erica Gabriel’s death was provided in a booking report for suspect Shira Barousse Northcutt obtained Saturday (Oct. 31) by Fox 8.

Northcutt, 44, was booked into the Orleans Justice Center jail Friday afternoon on counts of hit-and-run causing death and obstruction of justice-evidence tampering. The report said Northcutt turned herself in Friday morning to New Orleans police. She said her vehicle was with her brother, would not say where, and would not provide any further statement without an attorney present, the report said.

According to the document, Gabriel and Northcutt were inside the Brothers Gas Station at 3101 Elysian Fields Ave. on Thursday around 2:12 a.m.

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The report said “on-scene investigation” revealed Gabriel purchased some items, went outside and put the bag on top of her vehicle, then returned inside the store to use an ATM.

“While the victim was at the ATM machine, the suspect (Northcutt) exited the store and stole the victim’s bag that was on top of the victim’s car,” the report said. “An unknown male advised the victim that the suspect had stolen her property, and the victim exited the store and ran in front of the vehicle, placing her hands on the blue sedan’s hood, advising the suspect to return her property.

“The suspect then drove forward, striking the victim. The impact caused the victim to fall to the ground and was subsequently run over by the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect then stopped her vehicle, while the victim was trapped underneath, and proceeded to put the vehicle in reverse, rolling over the victim a second time.

“The suspect then stopped her vehicle for several seconds, turned left and fled the scene without rendering aid or calling the police.”

Gabriel’s niece Kris Bryant told Fox 8 on Friday, “She didn’t have to do her that and then left her. ... It’s unacceptable.”

Northcutt was to make her first appearance in Orleans Parish Magistrate Court on Saturday afternoon before Commissioner Joyce Sallah, to determine whether bond would be set.

Court records show Northcutt has previous arrests in Orleans Parish for accusations of unauthorized entry of a business in 2021 and an arson case in 2023.

District Attorney Jason Williams’ office refused the business break-in charge in September 2021. It amended an aggravated arson count to simple arson in September 2023, to which Northcutt pleaded guilty. She received a three-year suspended sentence and two years of active probation for that offense, according to court records.

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