Actor Ernest Wesley Heinz, known for a brief appearance in The Sopranos, has been arrested in New Jersey following a violent road rage confrontation that left a woman shot in the face and a university campus on lockdown.
The Incident
Police say the altercation occurred just before 1 p.m. on W. Jimmie Leeds Road near Redwood Avenue in Galloway Township. Heinz, 46, allegedly became enraged after a traffic dispute with a woman identified as Maritza Arias-Galva.
When both vehicles stopped at a red light, Heinz reportedly shouted threats, pulled out a handgun, and fired a single shot through the woman’s car window. The bullet struck her in the upper nose area. Despite the injury, she remained alert and was able to provide officers with crucial information at the scene. Her injuries were later confirmed to be serious but not life-threatening.
Charges Filed
Heinz now faces multiple charges, including:
-
Attempted homicide
-
Aggravated assault with a firearm
-
Aggravated assault
-
Unlawful possession of a weapon
-
Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
He is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility while awaiting a detention hearing.
Lockdown at Stockton University
After the shooting, Heinz fled north along Vera King Ferris Drive, which runs through Stockton University’s campus. The incident triggered a three-hour lockdown, with students and staff ordered to shelter in place while officers searched the area.
The victim’s description of the shooter as a white man with blond hair tied in a ponytail driving a white Honda SUV helped police quickly track him down. Heinz was later arrested at a home in the Blue Heron Pines neighborhood.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have executed search warrants at several properties connected to Heinz, including two vehicles. Further details about his motives and the weapon used have not yet been disclosed.
Acting Career
Though not a household name, Heinz has appeared in several small roles across television and film. His most notable credit is a brief role in HBO’s The Sopranos, and he has also been linked to projects in both cinema and video games.
A Stark Reminder
The case has reignited concerns about the dangers of road rage and gun violence. What began as a routine traffic dispute ended in tragedy for the victim and a serious criminal case for Heinz — a man once recognized for his role on television, now facing the possibility of years behind bars.
