A New Jersey man has been indicted on 31 felony counts following a violent road rage incident where he allegedly shot a woman in the face. Ernest Heinz, 47, has been held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility without bond since his arrest in September. The incident occurred when Heinz, driving a white Honda CR-V, cut off 42-year-old Maritza Arias-Galva, leading to a heated exchange.
Witnesses reported that as Arias-Galva attempted to roll up her window, Heinz threatened her life, stating, “I’m going to kill you today. Today, I’m gonna take care of you,” before firing a shot that severely injured her. The bullet caused injuries to her eye, raising concerns over the possibility of permanent blindness. The search for Heinz prompted a lockdown at Stockton University, enhancing the seriousness of the situation.
Heinz initially faced charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon, along with various other charges. Local news outlet BreakingAC.com revealed that in early October, a grand jury indicted him on the additional counts, which largely stem from a cache of firearms discovered in a storage facility he allegedly visited shortly after the shooting.
Surveillance footage showed Heinz returning to his parents’ residence in Galloway Township shortly after the incident, carrying a small firearm that matched the description provided by Arias-Galva. He was later seen leaving with a black rifle case and a red bag. Authorities traced his whereabouts to a storage facility rented by an acquaintance, where several guns were found, including at least one registered to his father. Notably, Heinz is prohibited from owning firearms due to an active restraining order stemming from a domestic violence charge.
In addition to attempted homicide, the indictment included charges of hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence. Heinz, who previously acted in minor roles in projects like “The Sopranos” and “Resident Evil,” had returned to New Jersey to assist with caring for his aging parents.
Heinz is set to appear in court on January 30, 2026, as the legal proceedings continue in this severe case of road rage that has left lasting repercussions for the victim and the community.