A 46-year-old actor from Port Republic, New Jersey, has been charged with attempted homicide and other offenses after allegedly shooting a woman in the face during a road rage incident near Stockton University on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
The event prompted a three-hour shelter-in-place order on the university’s campus.
According to Galloway Township police, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting on West Jimmie Leeds Road near Redwood Avenue at approximately 12:52 p.m.
The victim, Maritza Arias-Galva, told investigators she was shot in the face by a man in another vehicle, who then fled north onto Vera King Ferris Drive, a main road on the Stockton University campus.
Arias-Galva was able to describe the suspect and his vehicle—a white Honda SUV—to responding officers.
She was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, where she was listed in stable condition and is recovering from her injuries.
The alleged shooter, identified as Ernest Wesley Heinz, was taken into custody several hours later at a residence in the Blue Heron Pines Development in Galloway Township.
Police executed search warrants on three homes in Port Republic, another in Galloway Township, and two vehicles as part of their investigation.
Heinz, whose profile on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) lists minor roles in films such as “J. Edgar” and “The Prestige,” and television series including “The Sopranos,” faces multiple charges . These include first-degree attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose . He is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility .
According to an affidavit of probable cause, the confrontation began when Arias-Galva merged in front of Heinz’s vehicle while driving on South Pomona Road. Heinz allegedly sped past her, and after both turned onto Jimmie Leeds Road, he pulled alongside her, uttered profanity, threatened to kill her, and fired a single shot from a handgun . Police recovered a .380 caliber shell casing at the scene .
University Response and Aftermath
Following the incident, Stockton University issued a shelter-in-place order for its Galloway campus at approximately 1:19 p.m. out of an abundance of caution . The order was lifted around 4:00 p.m. after police determined there was no longer a threat . All university classes and activities were canceled for the remainder of Thursday .
In a statement, Stockton University President Joe Bertolino thanked the community for their cooperation and acknowledged the unsettling nature of the event . He confirmed the incident did not occur on campus but stated that the safety of students, faculty, and staff is the university’s highest priority . Counseling and support resources were made available to the university community .
Galloway Township Police Chief Eric B. Hendrickson commended the “prompt and professional actions” of his officers, which he said resulted in a quick apprehension . He also offered well wishes for Arias-Galva’s recovery and support for the community following what he described as a “senseless incident” .
A detention hearing for Heinz has not yet been scheduled