Denise Richards’ 2022 Road Rage Gun Incident: What to Know

Denise Richards will never forget being involved in an apparent road rage shooting incident.

Long before facing her fears and past traumas on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star experienced a scary situation on the road.

In November 2022, Aaron Phypers was driving his wife to work in Los Angeles when a bullet suddenly struck the back of the cab of their truck. As they kept driving, the shooter allegedly followed them, eventually blocking their vehicle in.

“It wasn’t like we got cut off. It was just all of a sudden this guy was following us,” Richards, 53, said while appearing on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live in February 2023. “He was kind of aggressive, and Aaron tried to scootch over, and he pulled over and [the shooter] pulled over.”

According to Richards, Phypers, 52, rolled down the window to confront the man.

“He put his hands up and goes, ‘I don’t know what you’re upset at. I’m just trying to take my wife to work,’” Richards recalled.

While Phypers seemingly appeared calm during the unpredictable moments, Richards said her reaction was the opposite.

“I did not handle it well,” Richards told Jeff Lewis when describing the moments she started screaming. “I was literally on the floor almost peeing my pants.”

At one point, Richards started to jump out of the truck to escape before Phypers pulled her back in for safety.

She later told the unidentified individual, “Please, I don’t know what we did, but he’s just trying to take me to work.” According to Richards, the man proceeded to roll up his window and drive away.

As Richards tried to heal from the experience, the actress was met with some Internet trolls.

When one Twitter user suggested it would be OK if Richards was injured, she replied: “I would never wish any harm on anyone. What I experienced yesterday with my husband, not that you care. Was the most terrifying situation I have ever been in. I’m sorry a shot didn’t graze my neck … a–—–.”

Since the ordeal, Richards has been able to move forward as she continues raising daughters Sami, 20, Lola, 19, and Eloise, 13.

In addition to starring in Special Forces, Richards will also appear in a new reality show focused on those closest to her.

“It’s a big glimpse into our family,” Richards told Us Weekly in December 2024.  “We’re finishing up everything. I’m excited, but I’m also like, ‘Oh my gosh, everyone’s gonna see my family.’”