An actor, formerly seen in an episode of The Sopranos, has been apprehended on attempted murder charges for reportedly shooting a woman driver during a road rage episode.
Ernest Wesley Heinz, 46, residing in Port Republic, New Jersey, was arrested Thursday, related to a shooting incident that led to a lockdown at Stockton University for several hours, as reported by 6 Action News.
Galloway Township police said they received a call about a shooting on West Jimmie Leeds Road near Redwood Avenue just before 1pm on Thursday.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, Maritza Arias-Galva, 42, with evident injuries, including a swollen right cheek causing one eye to almost close completely, as noted by Breaking AC.
She was then rushed to a local hospital, where she told police that a man in a white Hyundai had shot her in the face at a red light.
Arias-Galva shared with the Philadelphia Inquirer that she was returning home from the grocery store, eagerly anticipating celebrating a delayed birthday with her children on her day off.
But when she was trying to merge onto Jimmie Leeds Road with her turn signal activated, Arias-Galva said the suspect vehicle cut her off.
When they then both arrived at a red light, she said the other driver called her a ‘b****’ and a ‘motherf*****’ and threatened to kill her.
Ernest Wesley Heinz, 46, of Port Republic, New Jersey, has been arrested on first-degree attempted murder charges
He allegedly shot Maritza Arias-Galva, 42, in the face during a road rage incident
‘I wasn’t arguing with him. I know that kind of person because I work customer service,’ Arias-Galva recounted.
‘I just said, “Thank you sir.” And he said he was taking my life.’
She attempted to raise her car window when Heinz allegedly brandished a firearm and shot, as she recalled on an online fundraiser for her medical expenses.
Police mentioned that Arias-Galva managed to call 911, reporting the shooting and informing them that the suspect had headed north on Vera King Ferris Drive, located on the Stockton University grounds.
But Arias-Galva said it was difficult for her to maintain consciousness as she spoke, and she even resorted to pouring water on herself.
‘I was thinking about my kids,’ the hardworking mother told the Inquirer. ‘I was thinking, “I need to survive this. I’m the only family they have in New Jersey.”‘
Police eventually discovered the vehicle had been registered to Heinz’s mother and a Sig Sauer .350 handgun was registered to his father.
Officers executed search warrants on three Port Republic homes, another in Galloway Township and two vehicles.
Police say the two were stopped at a red light when Heinz pulled out a gun and fired
The road rage incident allegedly began when Arias-Galva tried to merge onto West Jimmie Leeds Road near Stockton University
A shelter in place order was in effect at the university during that time, but was lifted nearly three hours later and the university was able to operate as normal on Friday after authorities tracked Heinz down and took him into custody.
Stockton University President Joe Bertolino has since released a statement saying the shelter in place was issued out of an abundance of caution.
‘I recognize how unsettling it can be to receive an alert like that and I want to commend you for your patience, understanding and commitment to following the guidance provided,’ he said.
Meanwhile, friends took to social media to raise funds for Arias-Galva.
Police determined that the vehicle belonged to Heinz’s mother and a Sig Sauer .350 handgun was registered to his father
‘Yesterday, our dear friend, coworker and loving mother was the victim of a senseless act of violence,’ Adriana Danzieri wrote on Facebook, noting that she works with Arias-Galva as a guest service agent for Spirit Airlines.
‘She is a hardworking woman, holding down two jobs as a single mother, doing everything she can to provide for her little girl,’ Danzieri continued.
‘It breaks our hearts to see her in this situation, when all she has ever done is work hard and take care of her family.’
Danzieri then encouraged people to donate, writing: ‘Let’s all come together and lift her up with love, prayers and support.’
The online fundraiser also notes that Arias-Galva is ‘the kind of person who always puts others first, and now she needs our help more than ever.
‘The extent of her injuries is still being evaluated and we don’t yet know if she will lose vision in her eye or how long she will be out of work.
‘In the meantime, she faces mounting medical bills, legal fees and the everyday expenses of raising a family.’
The fundraiser also notes that ‘the trauma she experiences has left deep scars, both emotionally and physically, and she now faces the daunting task of healing and rebuilding her life.’
A shelter in place was issued at the university (pictured) as the investigation continued
It also included a message from Arias-Galva herself, saying she was ‘the victim of a man consumed by rage and what seemed to be racism, who devalued my life simply because I am a Hispanic woman.’
She insisted the ‘only mistake’ she made was ‘merging onto a lane that was ending,’ which prompted Heinz to try to ‘ram my car twice, blocking my path and hen pursued me onto Jimmy Leeds Road.
‘Despite everything, I’m thankful to be alive,’ Arias-Galva said. ‘I believe God was watching over me and spared my life.
‘This horrific event has deeply impacted me and my family,’ she concluded. ‘It’s a stark reminder that such violence can happen to anyone, even when you’re not seeking conflict.
‘Please everyone, stay safe,’ she begged. ‘There is too much brokenness in this world.’
Heinz is now being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility and is due to appear in court for a detention hearing on Wednesday
Heinz, who once also played the jury foreman in the 2011 film J. Edgar, is now being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
In addition to the attempted homicide charge, he is also facing second-degree assault, along with third-degree aggravated assault and possession of a weapon and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Heinz’s only prior criminal cases were in 2002, when he was accused of violating a domestic violence restraining order that July and on September 11 of that year, exactly 23 years before his arrest, according to Breaking AC.
He is now due to appear in court for a detention hearing on Wednesday.
