Ernest Heinz, 46, an actor who briefly appeared on The Sopranos, has been indicted on 31 counts tied to a Sept. 11 road‑rage shooting near Stockton University in Galloway Township, N.J. The victim, Maritza Arias‑Galva, was shot in the face and identified her attacker as a white male driving a white Honda. Investigators say surveillance footage links Heinz to a Port Republic residence minutes after the shooting, where firearms later tied to the case were recovered. Heinz faces weapons and attempted homicide charges and is due to be arraigned on Jan. 30, 2026.
Actor Ernest Heinz Indicted on 31 Counts After Sept. 11 Road‑Rage Shooting Near Stockton University
Galloway Township Police DepartmentErnest W. Heinz
Ernest Heinz, a 46-year-old actor who had a small role on The Sopranos in 2006, was indicted by a grand jury on 31 counts stemming from a Sept. 11 road‑rage shooting in Galloway Township, New Jersey, prosecutors say.
Authorities say the incident began when Maritza Arias‑Galva called police to report she had been shot in the face during an altercation near Stockton University. In her initial statement she described the assailant as a "White male, with blonde hair in a ponytail" driving a white Honda SUV, according to a Galloway Township Police Department release.
Using that description, police located Heinz at a nearby residence and took him into custody. At the time of his arrest, investigators charged him with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, the department said.
New Indictment and Allegations
Earlier this month a grand jury returned a 31‑count indictment against Heinz. Court records obtained by PEOPLE show he is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 30, 2026, and local reporting indicates he will remain in custody pending trial.
Prosecutors say additional counts are tied to firearms discovered in a storage unit reportedly accessed by Heinz minutes after the shooting, according to coverage by Breaking AC and ABC 6. Investigators allege the shooting was carried out with a .380‑caliber handgun that was registered in Heinz’s father’s name.
Surveillance and Recovery of Weapons
Surveillance footage allegedly captured Heinz returning to a Port Republic residence armed with a handgun less than ten minutes after the shooting. Investigators say video shows him retrieving two bags—one containing a rifle and another from a Wawa convenience store—which were later recovered in a storage unit rented by a friend of Heinz.
What Happened on the Road
Authorities say Heinz and Arias‑Galva were merging into a single lane on South Pomona Road when he passed her. They encountered each other again near Stockton University, prosecutors allege, and Heinz began shouting from his vehicle before firing at least one shot into Arias‑Galva’s car. At a detention hearing, prosecutors said Heinz told the victim, “I’m going to kill you,” before the shooting, NJ.com reported.
Victim’s Account
On Sept. 13, while recovering at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Arias‑Galva told The Philadelphia Inquirer she tried not to engage with the driver and initially said, “Thank you, sir.” She said he responded that he intended to take her life. As she called police she said she was thinking about her children: “I was thinking, I need to survive this. I’m the only family they have in New Jersey.”
Current Status
Heinz faces multiple weapons and attempted homicide counts and is due in court for arraignment on Jan. 30, 2026. PEOPLE reports that attempts to reach the Galloway Township Police Department and Stockton University for comment were not returned. Local outlets including NJ.com, Breaking AC and ABC 6 have provided ongoing coverage of the investigation and indictment.
Sources: PEOPLE, Galloway Township Police Department release, NJ.com, Breaking AC, ABC 6, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
