In a disturbing turn of events, a former actor from the popular series “The Sopranos” finds himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Ernest Heinz, 47, is currently incarcerated in New Jersey following allegations of a road-rage incident that escalated into a violent shooting. Prosecutors claim this shocking event left a mother of three, Maritza Arias-Galva, blinded after she was shot in the face while stopped at a traffic light near a college campus.

Heinz now faces serious legal repercussions, having been formally indicted on charges of first-degree attempted murder, among a slew of other offenses. These charges arise from a confrontation that occurred in September on a roadway close to Stockton University.

The grand jury’s indictment includes 31 counts, detailing how Heinz allegedly fired his weapon during what authorities describe as an unexpected and violent clash with another motorist. This incident took place around midday on September 11, when Heinz and Arias-Galva’s paths crossed as they were merging into a single lane on South Pomona Road in Galloway Township.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Heinz overtook Arias-Galva during the merge. Despite this, their vehicles encountered each other again just a few minutes later at a red light near Vera King Farris Drive, a busy thoroughfare leading to the Stockton University campus.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Heinz passed Arias-Galva during the merge, only for the two vehicles to meet again minutes later at a red light near Vera King Farris Drive – a main route leading onto Stockton University’s campus.

When they then both arrived at the light, Arias-Galva said the other driver called her a ‘b****’ and a ‘motherf*****’ and threatened to kill her. 

It was there, authorities allege, that Heinz began shouting from his vehicle before firing a gunshot into Arias-Galva’s car.

Prosecutors said Heinz threatened her moments before pulling the trigger.  During a detention hearing, the state alleged he yelled, ‘I’m going to kill you today. Today, I’m going to care of you.’

Ernest Heinz, 47, was formally indicted on first-degree attempted murder and dozens of other charges stemming from a confrontation in September that erupted on a road in New Jersey

Maritza Arias-Galva, 46, was shot in the face during the September 11 road rage incident

Police arriving at the scene around 12:30pm found Arias-Galva suffering from a gunshot wound to her face. 

The bullet entered through her nose and exited through the side of her face, according to earlier police accounts. 

She was rushed to a nearby hospital with severe injuries that would later result in her losing vision in one eye.

‘Right now she’s blind on her right eye,’ her son, Victor Feliz-Arias, told NBC Philadelphia in the days following the shooting.

‘We’re really thankful she’s still alive with God, because we know God will save her.’

Feliz-Arias said his mother had been on her way home from the grocery store and looking forward to celebrating her belated birthday with her children when the encounter turned violent. He recalled the moment he learned what had happened.

‘For me to think that somebody decided to shoot my mom for no reason, I still don’t get it,’ he said. 

‘I just want justice, that’s all I want, justice. Lock him up and don’t let him out.’

A judge has ordered Heinz held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility without bail while he awaits trial

Victim Maritza Arias-Galva’s son, Victor Feliz-Arias, pictured, said his mom has been left blind her right eye and may never regain her vision

A GoFundMe campaign launched to help cover Arias-Galva’s medical expenses describes her as a hardworking single mother struggling to rebuild her life after the attack.

‘Maritza is a loving single mother who works tirelessly at two jobs to provide for her young children,’ the fundraiser states. 

‘The trauma she experienced has left deep scars, both emotionally and physically, and she now faces the daunting task of healing and rebuilding her life.’

According to investigators, Arias-Galva told police the shooter was a white man with blond hair tied back in a ponytail, driving a white SUV that fled toward Stockton University after the gunfire. 

The campus was placed on lockdown for several hours as police searched for the suspect.

Authorities said Heinz was arrested within hours. Surveillance footage later reviewed by investigators allegedly showed him returning to his home in Port Republic less than 10 minutes after the shooting, still armed with a handgun. 

Prosecutors said he was later seen retrieving bags, including one believed to contain a rifle, which were ultimately recovered from a storage unit rented by an associate.

Police also traced the firearm history connected to Heinz’s family. 

Heinz has also worked as a real estate and mortgage broker, has a handful of acting credits, including a minor role on The Sopranos, as well as appearances in J. Edgar and The Prestige

Investigators said the handgun involved in the shooting was a Sig Sauer registered to his father, while the vehicle used in the escape was registered to his mother. 

Search warrants were executed at multiple homes and vehicles in Port Republic and Galloway Township before Heinz was taken into custody.

He now faces charges including first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, weapons possession, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. 

A judge has ordered Heinz held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility without bail while he awaits trial.

His attorney, Robin Kay Lord, has pushed back on the attempted murder charge, arguing in court that the case could instead fall under passion-provocation manslaughter. 

She unsuccessfully sought Heinz’s release on house arrest.

Heinz, who has also worked as a real estate and mortgage broker, has a handful of acting credits, including a minor role on HBO’s The Sopranos, as well as appearances in J. Edgar and The Prestige. 

He also served as a face model for characters in the Resident Evil video game franchise.

Court records show his prior criminal history is limited, consisting of cases from 2002 involving an alleged violation of a domestic violence restraining order.