A routine traffic merge spiraled into violence on September 11 when Ernest Heinz, a former actor with credits in HBO’s “The Sopranos,” allegedly shot mother-of-3 Maritza Arias-Galva in the face near Stockton University. The single gunshot left her blind in 1 eye and fighting for recovery. Now, 3 months later, Heinz faces 31 felony counts. But the backstory only deepens.
Who Is Ernest Heinz Really?
Ernest Wesley Heinz, 46, of Port Republic, New Jersey, carried dual identities: entertainment industry contributor and aspiring real estate broker. He appeared uncredited in “The Sopranos” and worked as a face model for “Resident Evil” video games. Most recently, Heinz worked as a real estate and mortgage broker specializing in new construction projects. He had relocated from California to care for his terminally ill father. Yet court records exposed something else.
An Old Restraining Order Resurfaces
Court records revealed a critical detail: Heinz had an active domestic violence restraining order from 2002, nearly 23 years before the shooting. This order explicitly prohibited him from possessing firearms. Prosecutors later argued this long-standing legal restriction should have prevented his access to the weapons found in a storage facility after the shooting. The order documented aggressive behavior toward intimate partners or family. So how did he end up armed?
A Normal Errand Turns Violent
The day began like any other for Maritza Arias-Galva, a single mother of 3 on her way home from the grocery store. She activated her turn signal on South Pomona Road in Galloway Township, attempting to merge into a single lane. That’s when Ernest Heinz, driving a white Honda CR-V registered to his mother, allegedly cut her off. What followed was not a typical argument, and it escalated fast.
“I’m Going To Kill You Today”
At the red traffic light on Vera King Farris Drive, surveillance and witness accounts documented what happened next. Heinz allegedly yelled at Arias-Galva, then made an explicit threat. According to her son, Heinz warned: “I’m going to kill you today. Today, I’m gonna take care of you,” before firing a single shot. The bullet pierced her window, striking her in the face as she tried rolling it up. Could she even survive?
A Single Shot, Permanent Damage
The .380 caliber handgun fired at approximately 12:52 p.m. altered the trajectory of multiple lives. The bullet entered Maritza’s upper nose and caused catastrophic damage to her right eye. Officers arriving at the scene found her bleeding profusely but conscious. She was rushed to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center where trauma surgeons worked to save her vision. Doctors indicated she might never recover sight in that eye. The chaos quickly spread beyond the intersection.
Campus Lockdown Sparks Instant Fear
When Heinz fled toward Stockton University’s campus grounds, law enforcement didn’t know his exact location or intentions. At approximately 1:19 p.m., roughly 27 minutes after the shooting, the university issued a shelter-in-place alert. Nearly 3,000 students were confined to classrooms, the campus theater, and dining facilities with no clear information about an armed shooter’s whereabouts. Students texted loved ones, some believing they might be about to die. The fear had a new target.
Students Describe The Terror Inside
Students described the terror of uncertainty during those hours. Freshman Brooke Heritage recalled: “We were all worried, like, were they on campus? Were they going to be going into classrooms? Because we were told they were around our age, so they could blend in”. Another student, Diamond Caze, said: “The world is just scary. You don’t think it’s going to happen at your college until it does”. The all-clear came that afternoon, but the suspect was still moving.
The Suspect Vanishes Into Port Republic
After firing that single shot, Heinz didn’t linger. He fled northbound, leaving Arias-Galva bleeding and calling 911. He drove to his parents’ home in Galloway Township approximately 10 minutes after the shooting, entering while reportedly carrying the .380 caliber handgun. Within minutes, surveillance video documented him leaving the residence carrying a black rifle case and a red Wawa bag. His behavior suggested deliberate concealment of evidence. What was he trying to hide?
A Hidden Arsenal Comes Into View
Investigators tracking Heinz’s movements discovered something shocking: within 30 minutes of shooting Maritza, he visited a storage facility in Port Republic rented by an acquaintance. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant and opened the unit. Inside was a cache of multiple firearms: handguns, rifles, shotguns. At least 1 weapon was registered to his father. The sheer quantity suggested premeditation or obsession with weaponry. That discovery shifted the case from a violent incident to a sweeping indictment.
“Lock Him Up And Don’t Let Him Out”
Maritza’s son, Victor Feliz-Arias, spoke to journalists with raw emotion about his mother’s injuries and his family’s trauma. According to court records and victim impact statements, he demanded justice: “I just want justice, that’s all I want, justice. Lock him up and don’t let him out”. A GoFundMe campaign for Maritza raised over $8,000 to cover surgeries, medical care, and lost wages. She had already endured 1 eye surgery, and the legal process was just beginning.
Arrested Same Day, Denied Bail
Law enforcement located Heinz at a residence in the Blue Heron Pines Development in Galloway Township later that afternoon on September 11. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Initially charged with 5 counts, Heinz appeared before a judge on September 25 for a detention hearing. Prosecutors presented surveillance video evidence showing his post-shooting movements and alleged weapons concealment. The judge found him dangerous. Bail was denied. But his lawyers pushed back hard.
The Defense Tries To Reframe It
Attorney Robin Kay Lord represented Heinz, attempting to paint a sympathetic picture. She argued that caring for his terminally ill father, nighttime caregiving between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m., demonstrated responsibility. She presented character letters testifying to Heinz’s integrity and kindness. She argued the incident was an isolated aberration, not a pattern. She requested home monitoring or bail. The judge was not persuaded, and prosecutors kept building the case quietly for months.
A Case Built Frame By Frame
From September 11 to early December 2025, prosecutors assembled a comprehensive case. They collected forensic evidence, analyzed surveillance video documenting Heinz’s post-shooting movements, and catalogued each firearm discovered at the storage facility. They interviewed Maritza and other witnesses. They prepared legal arguments supporting each proposed charge. In early December, they presented everything to a grand jury, where citizen jurors reviewed evidence and documents. The grand jury’s response raised a new question: how broad would the indictment go?
When 5 Charges Became 31
When news of the grand jury indictment broke on December 22-23, the full scope of Heinz’s legal jeopardy became clear. The original 5 charges remained, but approximately 20 additional weapons-related charges had been added. Each firearm discovered at the Port Republic storage facility generated multiple counts, including unlawful possession and possession for an unlawful purpose. Heinz also faced hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence for allegedly concealing weapons after the shooting. It quickly became more than a local headline.
Why The Story Went National
The case captured national attention because it illustrated broader American problems: aggressive driving culture, firearm accessibility, and violence erupting from minor traffic disputes. AAA Foundation research cited during court proceedings said 96% of drivers admitted to aggressive driving behaviors over the past year. Yet few escalate to gunfire. Heinz’s alleged combination of prior violent behavior, ready firearm access, and poor impulse control created a perfect storm. But the person living with the aftermath was still in recovery.
The Victim’s Own Words Hit Hard
Maritza Arias-Galva shared her account on the GoFundMe page, writing: “Everything happened in a blur. I remember the deafening sound of the gunshot as the bullet shattered my window. Glass flew everywhere, and blood poured down my face. I managed to call 911, but my vision was obscured by the blood. I feared he would return to finish what he started,” she added, “I’m thankful to be alive. This horrific event has deeply impacted my family and me. It’s a stark reminder that such violence can happen to anyone.” Her injuries also shape what punishment is possible.
What Conviction Could Mean In Prison
First-degree attempted murder in New Jersey carries a potential sentence of 10-20 years in state prison. Each weapons possession charge carries an additional 3-10 year sentence, with mandatory minimum terms required under New Jersey’s Graves Act for firearm offenses. Prosecutors could argue for consecutive sentences, meaning Heinz could face decades in prison if convicted on all counts. Even if sentences run concurrently, the exposure is substantial. But when will he finally answer in court?
January 30 Sets The Next Stage
Heinz’s arraignment on the 31-count indictment is scheduled for January 30, 2026, at the Atlantic County Courthouse. At this proceeding, he’ll be formally informed of each charge, will enter pleas, and will participate in discussions about trial scheduling and legal strategy. His attorney has indicated intentions to challenge or modify certain charges, but the indictment suggests prosecutors have substantial evidence. The victim’s family awaits answers, and the campus community still wants closure before the lasting impact settles.
A Lifetime Of Consequences After One Merge
Ernest Heinz’s alleged actions on September 11, 2025, transformed multiple lives forever. Maritza Arias-Galva faces potential permanent blindness and lifelong trauma, and her 3 children lost a sense of security. Stockton University’s students and staff experienced vulnerability on a supposedly safe campus. Heinz faces potential decades in state prison if convicted. Road rage happens daily, but this one turned violent because a man with documented aggression allegedly had access to a loaded firearm. The trial will decide guilt, yet the harm is already permanent.
Sources
Statement on Shelter-in-Place Directive. Stockton University Office of the President, September 11, 2025
Former Actor Charged in Galloway Township Road Rage Shooting Faces 31 Counts. 6ABC News, December 23, 2025
Resident Evil Actor Indicted on Attempted Murder in Road Rage Incident. Philadelphia Inquirer, December 23, 2025
Driver Who Allegedly Shot Mom of 3 in Eye During Road Rage Incident Slapped with 31-Count Indictment. Law & Crime, December 23, 2025
NJ Actor Faces Fresh Charges in Stockton Road Rage Shooting Case. New Jersey 101.5, December 3, 2025