A former Hollywood actor, barred from owning guns due to domestic violence, allegedly shot a mother of three in the face during road rage, exposing failures in enforcing restraining orders.
Story Snapshot
- Ernest Heinz, 47, faces 31 felony counts after September 11, 2025, road rage shooting in Galloway Township, New Jersey.
- Victim Maritza Arias-Galva, 42, mother of three, shot near eye, risks permanent blindness from the attack.
- Heinz, prohibited gun owner, hid weapons cache post-shooting, triggering Stockton University lockdown.
- Grand jury indicted in early December 2025; Heinz held without bond, next court date January 30, 2026.
Incident Details
Ernest Heinz drove a white Honda CR-V and cut off Maritza Arias-Galva at a red light in Galloway Township on September 11, 2025, at 12:52 p.m. He yelled threats, including “I’m going to kill you today,” as her son recounted to NBC. Heinz fired one shot through her car window near her eye while she rolled it up. The bullet struck her face, causing potential blindness. Galloway police responded immediately to the suburban road rage escalation.
Suspect Background and Flight
Heinz, a former actor with minor roles in The Sopranos, Resident Evil video games, and The Prestige, returned to New Jersey from Port Republic to care for aging parents. An active domestic violence restraining order prohibited him from possessing firearms, yet he accessed multiple guns, including one registered to his father. Surveillance captured him ten minutes post-shooting at his parents’ home with a matching small gun. He then transported a black rifle case and red bag to an acquaintance’s storage unit, hiding the weapons cache before arrest.
Arrest and Escalating Charges
Authorities tracked Heinz to Stockton University campus, initiating a lockdown for public safety. Police arrested him later that day at his parents’ home. Initial charges included attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and aggravated assault. A grand jury in early December 2025 issued a 31-count indictment, adding felony firearm violations, hindering apprehension, and tampering with evidence.
Capt. Mark D’Esposito of Galloway Township Police confirmed Arias-Galva remained conscious with no major internal damage initially, expressing gratitude for her stability. Heinz remains in custody at Atlantic County Justice Facility awaiting his January 30, 2026, court appearance. Prosecutors emphasize the weapons violations as key to the expanded charges.
Community and Victim Impact
The shooting disrupted Stockton University operations with a full lockdown during the manhunt. Arias-Galva’s family faces emotional trauma and medical costs for her eye injury, which risks permanent vision loss. Galloway residents now grapple with heightened fears of everyday road rage turning deadly in their suburban community. Heinz’s parents endured a home search, highlighting family repercussions. This case underscores risks when prohibited individuals evade gun restrictions, fueling debates on enforcement amid rising U.S. road rage incidents.
Sources:
Ernest Heinz case: South Jersey actor charged in Galloway Twp. road rage shooting held for trial
Former ‘Sopranos’ actor arrested on 31 charges including criminal attempted homicide
