GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — September 11, 2025 — A 46-year-old Port Republic man, identified as Ernest W. Heinz, has been arrested and charged with attempted homicide after allegedly shooting Maritza Arias-Galva of Galloway Township during a violent road-rage incident on Thursday morning.
The Shooting
According to the Galloway Township Police Department, officers responded around 9 a.m. to a 911 call from Arias-Galva herself, who reported she had been shot in the face by a man driving a separate vehicle. The attack occurred near Vera King Ferris Drive, on the campus of Stockton University.
First responders arrived to find Arias-Galva suffering from a gunshot wound to her face. Despite her injury, she was able to give officers a detailed description of her attacker, identifying him as a white male with blonde hair in a ponytail, driving a white Honda SUV.
Arias-Galva was transported by Galloway Township Ambulance to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division in Atlantic City, where she remains in stable condition while recovering from the trauma.
Swift Investigation and Arrest
Police say the case evolved rapidly after Arias-Galva’s descriptions of the suspect and his vehicle. Within hours, detectives identified the suspect as Ernest Wesley Heinz, the sole occupant of his vehicle during the shooting.
Later that day, officers located Heinz at a residence in the Blue Heron Pines Development in Galloway Township, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Authorities executed multiple search warrants on three residences in Port Republic, another home in Galloway Township, and two motor vehicles connected to Heinz. Evidence collected from those searches will now become part of the ongoing case.
Charges Filed
Heinz has been charged with:
- Criminal Attempt Homicide
- Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
- Aggravated Assault
- Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
He was lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility following the filing of formal complaints.
Police Chief Commends Officers
Galloway Township Police Chief Eric B. Hendrickson praised the professionalism and speed of his officers in handling a volatile and dangerous situation.
“The prompt and professional actions of our officers resulted in a quick apprehension of Mr. Heinz,” Chief Hendrickson said. “We wish Ms. Arias-Galva a swift recovery, and we are here to support our community following this senseless incident.”
Multi-Agency Support
Officials noted the successful arrest was made possible through assistance from the Stockton University Police Department, the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and several other Atlantic County agencies.
Important Legal Reminder
Police emphasized that the charges against Heinz are at this stage only accusations.
“These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” officials said.
Community Shaken
The shooting, which unfolded in broad daylight on a college campus roadway, has left residents rattled. Many expressed relief at the rapid arrest, but concern remains about the escalation of road-rage violence in South Jersey.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as they continue to piece together the chain of events that led to the shooting.