Detective Northcutt was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance. Detective Northcutt and other officers had just arrived at the scene when several shots were fired by the suspect with an AR-15 assault rifle. Witnesses stated that when the suspect heard the sirens of the responding units he put down the handgun he was holding and picked up the assault rifle. When the units arrived on scene he opened fire on them. Detective Northcutt and Officer Steve Morgan were both shot and killed and a third officer was shot and wounded. The suspect, who was dressed in fatigues and wearing a bullet proof vest, was shot and killed by an off duty officer from another department who was nearby.

Detective Northcutt is survived by his wife and five children. He had been a detective for the LBPD for one year and had been in law enforcement for 33 years.