Virginia State Police announced on August 22 that Dr. Richard Thomas Arriviello, a 61‑year‑old emergency‑medicine physician licensed in North Carolina since 2010, was arrested after an alleged road‑rage incident on Interstate 77. The incident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m., about three miles north of the North Carolina‑Virginia state line.
Details of the alleged shooting
According to the police press release, Arriviello was driving north in a Mercedes‑Benz when gunfire erupted from his vehicle and struck a Jeep traveling in the opposite direction. The bullets hit two sisters, ages 12 and 20, in the legs. Both victims were airlifted to a nearby hospital; their injuries were described as non‑life‑threatening.
After the shots were fired, Arriviello allegedly fled the scene in his Mercedes‑Benz. Troopers located the vehicle about 15 miles away, stopped it, and placed the doctor under arrest.
Charges and legal status
Arriviello now faces several felony counts, including malicious shooting into an occupied vehicle, maliciously causing bodily harm to another with intent to maim, and use of a firearm while committing a felony. He is being held without bond at the New River Valley Regional Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on September 29.
Investigation and related facts
State police have not released information about what prompted the road‑rage encounter, nor have they confirmed whether a firearm was recovered from the Mercedes‑Benz. The driver of the Jeep was cited for reckless driving, but police have not identified that individual.
North Carolina Medical Board records show that Dr. Arriviello has been licensed as an emergency‑medicine physician for more than a decade and has no public disciplinary actions on file. The records also list him as the owner of Family Urgent Care in Monroe, North Carolina.
Fox News Digital reached out to Family Urgent Care and Virginia State Police for comment; no response was received at the time of publication.
Community impact
The incident has raised concerns among residents of the Charlotte metropolitan area and the broader I‑77 corridor about road safety and the conduct of licensed professionals. Local law‑enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and have urged anyone with additional information to contact authorities.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
