A road rage incident near Stockton University in Galloway Township, New Jersey, has led to 31 criminal charges, including first-degree attempted murder, against Ernest Heinz, a former actor known for his roles in “The Sopranos” and the “Resident Evil” video game series.
Heinz, in his mid-40s and residing in Port Republic, New Jersey, was indicted by a grand jury in December. He is alleged to have shot a woman in the face during a traffic dispute on Vera King Farris Drive on September 11. The incident instigated a three-hour lockdown at the nearby university.
The victim, Maritza Arias-Galva, reported to the police that while she was driving north on South Pomona Road with her indicator on, an aggressive driver cut her off and attempted to ram into her car twice. She was later followed by this driver, who ended up stopping next to her at a red light near the entrance of Stockton University.
At the traffic signal, Heinz is alleged to have yelled at Arias-Galva and then shot at her with a .380 caliber Sig Sauer handgun, hitting her in the upper nose. Arias-Galva recounted on a GoFundMe page, “I remember the deafening sound of the gunshot as the bullet shattered my window. Glass flew everywhere, and blood poured down my face.”
Prosecutors state that during the altercation, Heinz threatened Arias-Galva’s life. Despite her vision being impaired by blood, she managed to call 911. The gunshot wound has left her blind in one eye.
Upon reaching the scene, police found Arias-Galva with a non-lethal gunshot wound to her face. Stockton University went into immediate emergency mode, locking down the campus for about three hours while the authorities searched for the assailant.
Heinz was apprehended by the police a few hours after the incident. Investigators claim that surveillance footage shows him returning to a Port Republic residence post-attack. Authorities later discovered firearms at a storage facility Heinz had visited.
The handgun used in the shooting was registered to Heinz’s father, and the car he was driving belonged to his mother. These family ties aided investigators in swiftly identifying and locating Heinz.
Heinz’s charges, as per the grand jury indictment, include first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, and several weapons possession offenses. The bulk of the additional charges beyond the primary five are associated with the guns found in the storage facility. Heinz’s defense is being handled by attorney Robin Kay Lord.
Heinz has been ordered to remain in custody without bail until his trial, which is scheduled for arraignment on January 30, 2026.
Post-attack, Arias-Galva has faced numerous health issues. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with her medical expenses, raising over $8,000 so far.
In her fundraising appeal, Arias-Galva described the attack and its aftermath, emphasizing that such random violence can happen unexpectedly, even to those not looking for conflict.
The case has attracted attention due to Heinz’s background in the entertainment industry and the suddenness of the alleged attack. Incidents of road rage involving firearms are a serious nationwide public safety issue, with minor traffic disagreements sometimes escalating to dangerous violence within seconds.
The incident near Stockton University sparked particular concern due to its location close to the campus, leading to a prolonged lockdown that disrupted the daily routines of students and staff. Throughout the emergency response, university officials worked hand in hand with law enforcement.
Should Heinz be convicted on all counts, he could spend a significant portion of his life in prison. The charge of first-degree attempted murder alone carries harsh penalties under New Jersey law. The potential sentence is further increased by the weapons charges, resulting in a substantial case built by the prosecutors.
As the January arraignment nears, both defense and prosecution are preparing to present differing accounts of what transpired at the Galloway Township traffic light, where what started as a typical traffic merge allegedly turned into a violent encounter that forever altered numerous lives.
