On the night of July 31, 2016, the quiet of a New Orleans East neighborhood was shattered by gunfire. Norris Brister, a 51-year-old father of eight and a dedicated restaurant worker, was gunned down just steps from his home on Keats Street. His murder remains unsolved, leaving a family and community searching for answers and justice.
The Life of Norris Brister
Norris Brister was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, the twelfth of thirteen children. He grew up in a large, close-knit family and was baptized at a young age at the First Church of God in Christ. A graduate of G.W. Carver High School’s Class of 1982, Norris was known for his work ethic, his devotion to his children and grandchildren, and his love for the New Orleans Saints.
For over two decades, Norris worked at Dupuy Storage, earning the respect of his colleagues. At the time of his death, he was employed as a food runner at the Cornet Restaurant on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. His coworkers remember him as a friendly, reliable presence who often stayed after shifts to play pool and unwind with friends.
The Night of the Murder
Saturday, July 30, 2016, started like any other for Norris. He finished his shift at Cornet Restaurant shortly after 11 p.m. Typically, he would linger with coworkers, but on this particular night, he decided to head straight home. Instead of catching a ride as he often did, Norris took the bus to New Orleans East, a routine he had adopted in recent weeks.
After disembarking at the corner of Morrison Road and Newcastle Street, Norris began the familiar walk toward his home on Keats Street. It was well after midnight—early Sunday morning—when he was just steps away from his front door.
The Shooting on Keats Street
Shortly before 1 a.m., residents of the 7700 block of Keats Street heard two gunshots ring out. Police responded quickly, arriving to find Norris Brister lying in the middle of the street. He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members, including his daughter Kentrell Brock, soon arrived to the devastating sight of detectives combing the area for evidence. Kentrell, who lived with her father and her children, was not home at the time but returned to find the block transformed into a crime scene.
Investigative Details and Theories
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office later confirmed Norris Brister as the victim. Despite canvassing the area and interviewing neighbors, police made no immediate arrests. The motive remains unclear, but Norris’s family believes he may have been the victim of an armed robbery. There were no reports of valuables missing, but the circumstances—a late-night walk through a quiet neighborhood, a sudden attack—fit a tragic pattern seen in many urban crimes…