A North Carolina doctor was arrested after allegedly firing into a moving Jeep on Interstate 77, striking two sisters in the legs. The victims, ages 12 and 20, were airlifted to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Virginia State Police said the shooting occurred north of the North Carolina-Virginia border during an alleged road rage encounter. The accused driver was detained roughly 15 miles from the reported shooting location and remains jailed without bond.
| 1) | Alleged interstate shooting injures two sisters |
| 2) | Police response and arrest details |
| 3) | Felony charges and upcoming court appearance |
| 4) | Investigation continues into the road rage encounter |
| 5) | Accused doctor’s medical licensing record |
Alleged interstate shooting injures two sisters
Virginia State Police said the incident occurred at about 8:50 a.m. on August 22, 2026, on northbound Interstate 77, approximately three miles north of the North Carolina-Virginia state line. Investigators allege that Richard Thomas Arriviello, 61, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was driving a Mercedes-Benz when gunfire was reported during an apparent road rage confrontation.
Police said Arriviello fired into a moving Jeep, hitting two sisters who were traveling in the vehicle. The victims were 12 and 20 years old and suffered gunshot wounds to their legs. Both were flown to a hospital for treatment, but authorities said their injuries were not life-threatening. The Jeep’s driver was later cited for reckless driving, although officials did not identify that person.
Police response and arrest details
After the shooting, authorities said Arriviello left the area in the Mercedes-Benz. State troopers located the vehicle about 15 miles away and conducted a traffic stop. Arriviello was taken into custody on August 22, according to police.
He was being held without bond at the New River Valley Regional Jail. The arrest followed a rapid response along the interstate, but authorities have not publicly detailed how the initial confrontation began or what exchanges occurred between the drivers before the alleged gunfire.
Felony charges and upcoming court appearance
Arriviello faces several felony counts, including malicious shooting into an occupied vehicle, maliciously causing bodily harm to another with intent to maim, and using a firearm while committing a felony. The charges reflect allegations that the shooting was intentional and involved a vehicle occupied by other people.
Arriviello is scheduled to appear in court on September 29, 2026. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the case will proceed through the Virginia criminal justice system. His detention without bond will remain in place unless changed by the court.
Investigation continues into the road rage encounter
Virginia State Police have not said what caused the alleged road rage incident or whether investigators recovered a firearm from the Mercedes-Benz. Those details could help establish how the shooting unfolded and what evidence prosecutors may present.
Authorities also have not disclosed additional information about the victims or the Jeep’s route. The reckless-driving citation issued to the Jeep’s driver indicates that investigators were examining the conduct of both vehicles, while the felony allegations against Arriviello focus on the reported shooting and resulting injuries.
Accused doctor’s medical licensing record
Records from the North Carolina Medical Board show that Arriviello has been licensed as an emergency medicine physician in the state since 2010. The records list him as the owner of Family Urgent Care in Monroe, North Carolina.
The board records do not show any public disciplinary actions against him. His professional background is separate from the criminal allegations arising from the Interstate 77 incident, which remain pending as the police investigation and court proceedings continue.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Two sisters, ages 12 and 20, were shot in the legs inside a moving Jeep. |
| 2 | The alleged shooting occurred on northbound Interstate 77 near the North Carolina-Virginia border. |
| 3 | The accused driver was arrested about 15 miles from the reported shooting location. |
| 4 | He faces several felony charges and is scheduled for court on September 29. |
| 5 | Investigators have not disclosed the cause of the confrontation or confirmed recovery of a firearm. |
Summary
The case involves an alleged interstate road rage shooting that injured two sisters and led to felony charges against a Charlotte doctor. Police quickly located and arrested the accused driver, but key questions about the confrontation, the alleged weapon and the sequence of events remain unresolved. The allegations will be tested in court at the scheduled September appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the case?
Richard Thomas Arriviello, a 61-year-old emergency medicine physician from Charlotte, North Carolina, was arrested after the alleged Interstate 77 shooting.
What happened to the victims?
Two sisters, ages 12 and 20, were shot in the legs while inside a moving Jeep. They were airlifted to a hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.
What charges does the accused face?
Arriviello faces felony charges including malicious shooting into an occupied vehicle, maliciously causing bodily harm with intent to maim, and using a firearm while committing a felony.
When is the next court date?
Arriviello is scheduled to appear in court on September 29, 2026. He remains jailed without bond pending further proceedings.
