Road Rage Incident Leads to Serious Charges
A 47-year-old actor from Port Republic, New Jersey, has been formally charged with attempted murder following a violent confrontation on the road. The incident occurred near Stockton University's main campus in Galloway Township.
Ernest Heinz was taken into custody shortly after allegedly firing a weapon at another driver during a traffic dispute. Prosecutors have filed multiple serious charges against him, including first-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Details of the September 2025 Confrontation
According to official documents, the altercation took place on September 11, 2025, when both vehicles were merging on South Pomona Road. After an initial encounter, the drivers met again minutes later outside the university grounds.
During the second confrontation, Heinz reportedly shouted threats from his vehicle before discharging his firearm. Prosecutors stated at a detention hearing that Heinz allegedly told the woman, "I'm going to kill you," before shooting at her vehicle.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
Investigators connected Heinz to the shooting through surveillance footage showing him returning to Port Republic armed with a handgun shortly after the incident. Additional evidence was recovered from a storage unit rented by one of his acquaintances.
Heinz's attorney, Robin Kay Lord, has challenged the attempted murder charge, suggesting the circumstances might qualify as passion-provocation manslaughter instead. She advocated for house arrest as an alternative to detention, but the judge ordered Heinz to remain jailed pending trial.
The arraignment is scheduled for late January. Heinz, who has worked as both a real estate broker and actor with credits including an episode of "The Sopranos," now faces a 31-count indictment from grand jurors.
