Police in New Jersey arrested an actor from The Sopranos Thursday following a road rage incident in which he allegedly shot a woman in the face, prompting a lockdown at Stockton University.
Police said the woman, Maritza Arias-Galva, had signaled to merge when Heinz’s vehicle cut her off.
After the shooting, Heinz fled north on Vera King Ferris Drive, which runs through Stockton University’s campus.
In response, a shelter‑in‑place order was issued for the university, lasting roughly three hours while police searched the area.
According to his IMDb page, he also made an appearance in The Sopranos in 2006, though that role was uncredited.
Following a road rage incident in which he allegedly shot a woman in the face, police in New Jersey arrested a Sopranos actor Thursday, causing Stockton University to go into lockdown.
The 46-year-old Port Republic resident Ernest Wesley Heinz is accused of firing a gun while his car and a woman’s car were stopped at a red light on W. He has been charged with attempted homicide. Around 12:52 p.m., Jimmie Leeds Road is close to Redwood Avenue. m. Police in Galloway Township said.
The charges against him also included possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault with a firearm.
When Heinz’s car cut her off, the woman, Maritza Arias-Galva, had signaled to merge, according to the police. He allegedly screamed at her, fired a single shot, and threatened to kill her at the light.
According to authorities, Arias-Galva was hit by the bullet in the upper nose. Despite her injuries, she was still conscious and could communicate with the responding police. According to authorities, she is currently recuperating from non-life-threatening injuries.
Vera King Ferris Drive, which passes through the campus of Stockton University, is where Heinz fled north after the shooting. This prompted the university to issue a shelter-in-place order, which lasted for about three hours while police searched the campus.
President Joe Bertolino of Stockton University issued a statement saying, “I understand 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.”.
Police say they were able to track down the suspect after Arias-Galva described her attacker to them as a white man with blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and a white Honda SUV.
Later on Thursday, Heinz was discovered at a residence in the Blue Herron Pines Development. Three Port Republic properties, one in Galloway Township, and two automobiles were the subjects of search warrants.
Heinz is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility and is expected to appear in court for a detention hearing the following week.
Heinz has appeared in a number of minor or supporting roles in films and television shows. He has a number of noteworthy credits, including J. Edgar, along with multiple Resident Evil-style video and film projects.
His IMDb page also states that he appeared in The Sopranos in 2006, albeit in an uncredited role.
His 2014 role in The Soul of Blue Eyes is his most recent acting credit.
Heinz has produced a few things. In 2007, he produced the short film A Day with the Urns, in which he also starred.
