Background: News footage of the Sept. 11 road rage incident that injured Maritza Arias-Galva (WCAU). Inset: Ernest Heinz (Galloway Township Police Department).
A New Jersey woman may be permanently blinded after she was allegedly shot by a man who threatened to kill her during a road rage incident.
According to the Galloway Township Police Department, 46-year-old Ernest Heinz was taken into custody hours after he allegedly shot Maritza Arias-Galva on Sept. 11. Arias-Galva suffered a gunshot wound to the face, but remained conscious and was able to describe the man who allegedly cut her off while driving then pulled up next to her and threatened to kill her. The mother of three is still recovering after she was hospitalized.
Arias-Galva”s son told Philadelphia-based NBC affiliate WCAU that Heinz reportedly warned his mother, “I’m going to kill you today. Today, I’m gonna take care of you,” before firing one shot through the window of her car.
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According to a criminal complaint obtained by WCAU, Arias-Galva was driving when Heinz raced ahead of her and cut her off while she was trying to merge. When the two vehicles were side-by-side at a red light, Heinz allegedly yelled to Arias-Galva and threatened to kill her before aiming a gun at her. Arias-Galva rolled up her window, but Heinz fired, shattering the window and hitting her in the face, causing serious injury to her eye, police said.
The alleged incident was near Stockton University, where Heinz allegedly fled. The police’s search for Heinz prompted an hourslong lockdown on campus. Heinz was arrested at his home later the same day. He was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Heinz works as an actor and has appeared in small roles on television and in movies, including “The Sopranos,” “Resident Evil,” and “The Prestige.” He is currently being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility without bail. He is scheduled for a pretrial detention hearing on Tuesday.
Arias-Galva’s son, Victor Feliz-Alvarez, told WCAU that he wants “justice” for his mother, adding, “Lock him up and don’t let him out.”
