Actor charged in road rage shooting that led to lockdown at Stockton University in Galloway Twp.
By Trish Hartman and WPVI Digital Staff
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GALLOWAY TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) — An actor has been charged in a road rage shooting that led to a lockdown at Stockton University on Thursday.
Ernest Wesley Heinz, 46, of Port Republic, has been arrested and charged with attempted homicide, according to police.
According to his profile on IMDB, he has had several minor roles in movies and TV shows, along with the video game series Resident Evil.
Police released one of Heinz’s social media profile photos while announcing his arrest on Friday.
Galloway Township police responded to a 911 call for a shooting on W. Jimmie Leeds Road near the area of Redwood Avenue around 12:52 p.m.
It happened while two cars were at a red light.
“As they approached the light, the male yelled at her, reached his hand out the window and fired a single shot,” said Capt. Mark D’Esposito of the Galloway Twp. Police Dept.
According to court documents, the woman told police she had her turn signal on and was trying to merge when the suspect vehicle cut her off.
When she arrived at the light, she said the suspect cursed at her and threatened to kill her when he pulled out a gun and fired.
When officers arrived, they found the victim with a wound to her upper nose.
“Fortunately, it didn’t look like it caught anything major and she was able to maintain consciousness and speak to our officers. We’re very grateful she’s okay,” said D’Esposito.
She told police the alleged gunman fled north on Vera King Ferris Drive, which is on the campus of Stockton University.
The victim was able to describe her attacker to police, as well as his vehicle, which she said was a white Honda SUV.
Detectives said the investigation led them to Heinz, who was taken into custody later Thursday at a residence in the Blue Herron Pines Development.
Police said they also executed search warrants on three Port Republic residences, another in Galloway Township, as well as two vehicles.
A shelter-in-place order was in effect during that time for the campus as police spent hours searching the area. It was lifted roughly three hours later.
Stockton University President Joe Bertolino put out a statement saying the shelter in place was out of an abundance of caution.
“I recognize how unsettling it can be to receive an alert like that, and I want to commend you for your patience, understanding, and commitment to following the guidance provided,” he wrote.
Heinz is being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility. We attempted to contact his family or an attorney but so far we haven’t heard back.
Heinz is due to appear in court for a detention hearing this week.
The university resumed normal operations on Friday.
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