An actor is facing serious charges after allegedly shooting a woman in the face during a road rage incident in New Jersey.
Police say 46-year-old Ernest W. Heinz was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 11, by the Galloway Township Police Department following the shocking attack. He’s been charged with criminal attempt homicide, multiple counts of aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in connection with the shooting of 38-year-old Maritza Arias-Galva.
Authorities said Arias-Galva called 911 herself after being shot while driving near Stockton University. She told officers a man in another vehicle pulled up, threatened her life, and fired one shot into her car before speeding away. The bullet struck her in the face.
“She was able to maintain consciousness and speak to our officers. We’re very grateful she’s okay,” Capt. Mark D’Esposito told ABC affiliate WPVI, confirming that she was in stable condition after being rushed to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center.
The incident caused a temporary lockdown on campus as officers searched for the suspect. Using Arias-Galva’s description — a white male with blonde hair in a ponytail driving a white Honda SUV — police tracked Heinz down to a home in the Blue Heron Pines Development and arrested him. He is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Galloway Township Police Chief Eric B. Hendrickson praised the teamwork of multiple agencies, saying, “The prompt and professional actions of our officers resulted in a quick apprehension of Mr. Heinz. We wish Ms. Arias-Galva a swift recovery, and we are here to support our community following this senseless incident.”
From her hospital bed, Arias-Galva told The Philadelphia Inquirer she tried to defuse the situation before the shooting. “I know that kind of person, because I work customer service. I just said, ‘Thank you, sir.’ And he said he was taking my life today,” she recalled, adding that she was thinking of her children as she fought to stay alive. “I need to survive this. I’m the only family they have in New Jersey.”
According to his IMDb profile, Heinz has several acting credits, including appearances in two Resident Evil video games and a small role in Clint Eastwood’s 2011 film J. Edgar. His last listed work was in 2014.
In his face with a shotgun!