Ernest Wesley Heinz, known for his small role in The Sopranos, was arrested in New Jersey after allegedly shooting a woman in the face during a violent road rage confrontation. The shocking incident led to a temporary lockdown at Stockton University and has raised concerns about the rising dangers of aggressive driving turning into gun violence.
What Happened?
According to Galloway Township police, the incident took place around 12:52 p.m. when Heinz and the victim stopped at a traffic light near W. Jimmie Leeds Road and Redwood Avenue. Witnesses say Heinz, 46, of Port Republic, became enraged after being cut off in traffic. He reportedly pulled out a revolver, fired a shot through the car window, and threatened to kill the woman.
The victim, identified as Maritza Arias-Galva, was struck in the upper nose area. Despite her injury, she remained conscious and was able to speak with officers at the scene. Fortunately, her condition is not considered life-threatening.
The Charges
Heinz now faces a series of serious charges, including:
-
Attempted homicide
-
Unlawful possession of a weapon
-
Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
-
Aggravated assault
-
Aggravated assault with a firearm
He is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility and is expected to appear in court for a detention hearing in the coming days.
Stockton University Lockdown
After the shooting, Heinz reportedly drove north along Vera King Ferris Drive, which runs directly through Stockton University’s campus. As a precaution, the school issued a shelter-in-place order that lasted nearly three hours while police searched the area.
Authorities said Arias-Galva provided critical details, describing the shooter as a white man with blond hair tied in a ponytail, driving a white Honda SUV. That description helped officers track Heinz to a home in the Blue Herron Pines neighborhood, where he was later taken into custody without incident.
The Bigger Picture
The arrest of Heinz underscores the troubling rise of road rage incidents escalating into violence. What began as a moment of frustration at a stoplight ended with a woman seriously injured and a former TV actor now facing years behind bars.
Once remembered for a role in a hit HBO drama, Heinz is now at the center of a real-life crime story — one that serves as a stark reminder of how quickly anger on the road can spiral into tragedy.
