New Jersey actor charged with shooting a woman in the face during a road rage incident.

A New Jersey actor, known for his roles in notable productions including the HBO series “The Sopranos” and films such as “J. Edgar” and “The Prestige,” has been charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during a road rage altercation. Ernest W. Heinz, 46, of Port Republic, was apprehended after allegedly firing a weapon and striking a woman in the face on Thursday afternoon.

The incident transpired near Stockton University, prompting the Galloway Township Police Department to label it an “isolated road-rage incident.” Following the reported shooting, the university was placed on lockdown for approximately three hours while law enforcement agencies conducted a thorough search for the suspect. This precautionary measure was implemented to ensure the safety of students and staff as authorities responded to the situation.

According to police, the victim, identified as Maritza Arias-Galva, contacted 911 shortly after being shot, providing a description of her assailant. She described him as a white male with blonde hair styled in a ponytail, driving a white Honda SUV that fled the scene onto Vera King Ferris Drive. Upon their arrival, officers attended to Arias-Galva, who sustained an injury to her upper nose and was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital. As of Friday, she was reported to be in stable condition.

Following a detailed investigation, law enforcement located Heinz at a residence in the Blue Heron Pines Development within Galloway Township. In response to the incident, police executed search warrants at multiple locations, including three homes in Port Republic and one in Galloway, as well as two vehicles associated with Heinz. However, specifics regarding the nature of the searches have not been disclosed by officials.

Heinz faces several serious charges, including criminal attempted homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a firearm, and various weapons offenses. He is currently in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, with a detention hearing scheduled for the upcoming week. The actor’s intentions regarding how he plans to plead to the charges remain unclear.

In addition to his acting career, Heinz has contributed as a face model for the “Resident Evil” video game series and is also involved in the real estate and mortgage business, as detailed on his professional website. The implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate legal consequences, reflecting a troubling intersection of road rage incidents and public safety concerns.