Background: News footage of the Sept. 11 road rage incident that injured Maritza Arias-Galva (WNBC). Inset (left): Maritza Arias-Galva (GoFundMe). Inset (right): Ernest Heinz (Galloway Township Police Department).
A New Jersey man faces a 31-count indictment following an alleged road rage incident where he reportedly shot a woman in the face, nearly causing her blindness.
Forty-seven-year-old Ernest Heinz has been held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility since his arrest in September. According to Law&Crime, Heinz was driving a white Honda CR-V when he allegedly cut off 42-year-old Maritza Arias-Galva. As the vehicles drew alongside each other, Heinz is accused of yelling threats and shooting Arias-Galva in the face as she attempted to close her window. Her injuries are severe enough that her vision may be permanently impaired, as detailed on a GoFundMe page. The incident prompted a lockdown at Stockton University as authorities searched for Heinz.
In an interview with Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate WCAU, Arias-Galva’s son recounted how Heinz allegedly threatened his mother, stating, “I’m going to kill you today. Today, I’m gonna take care of you,” before firing a shot through her car window.
Initially, Heinz faced charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault, and weapon possession for unlawful purposes. According to local news source BreakingAC.com, a grand jury recently indicted Heinz on 31 felony counts, many of which relate to a stockpile of firearms found at a storage facility he allegedly visited shortly after the September 11 shooting.
The indictment reveals surveillance footage capturing Heinz returning to his parents’ home in Galloway Township, New Jersey, just 10 minutes post-incident, allegedly with a weapon matching the description given by Arias-Galva. He then exited the house carrying a black rifle case and a red bag, authorities reported.
Investigators traced Heinz to a storage unit rented by an acquaintance, where he allegedly stored the weapons before his arrest occurred later the same day at his parents’ residence.
Heinz formerly worked as an actor in small roles on television and in movies, including “The Sopranos,” “Resident Evil,” and “The Prestige.” According to reporting by BreakingAC.com, he moved back to New Jersey to care for his parents.
The indictment said authorities found a variety of firearms inside the facility, at least one registered to Heinz’s father. Heinz, who has an active restraining order against him in connection with a domestic violence charge, is not allowed to own guns, the indictment said.
The additional charges include hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence.
Heinz remains in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, where he is being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 30, 2026.
