Florida Woman Faces Attempted Murder Charges Involving Rihanna
A Florida resident, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, has entered a plea of not guilty in Los Angeles Superior Court in connection with an attempted murder charge concerning renowned singer Rihanna. Represented by her attorney, Ortiz also denied over a dozen other felony allegations during the proceedings.
The charges stem from an incident on March 8, when prosecutors claim Ortiz approached the Beverly Hills home of Rihanna and her partner, hip-hop artist A$AP Rocky, and discharged approximately 20 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle into the property’s exterior wall. The couple’s three children were reportedly present at the time.
Ortiz is facing a total of 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm along with three charges of shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling. If found guilty on all counts, Ortiz could potentially face a life sentence.
During her court appearance, Ortiz, dressed in yellow jail attire, waived her right to an expedited preliminary hearing. Her legal representative, Deputy Public Defender Derek Ray Dillman, requested a reduction in her bail from $1.9 million to $70,000, arguing her financial constraints. However, Judge Theresa McGonigle maintained the original bail amount.
Concerns about Ortiz’s potential flight risk and community safety were raised by Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott, who stated, “This case involves a dangerous, deliberate shooting into occupied homes. This is the kind of conduct that could easily have resulted in multiple homicides.” He also noted that when Ortiz was apprehended, she was found alone in her vehicle with the rifle, additional ammunition, and a disguise.
Ortiz, a licensed speech pathologist for over a decade, has been barred from practicing in California following a ruling requested by the state attorney general. Neither Ortiz’s attorney nor the prosecution provided further comments to the media after the hearing. An email sent to Dillman for additional remarks was not immediately answered.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed that during the shooting, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were in an Airstream trailer, while other family members, including their children and staff, were inside the main residence. The charges of firing at a dwelling pertain to Rihanna’s house, the trailer, and a neighboring house. The assault charges are linked to Rihanna, her family, two staff members, and two neighbors.
Hochman refrained from discussing the bullet locations, a possible motive, or any link between Ortiz and Rihanna, stating that these aspects remain under investigation. He also mentioned the ongoing examination of Ortiz’s social media activity prior to the incident.
Rihanna, recognized for her nine Grammy Awards and chart-topping hits like “We Found Love” and “Umbrella,” is also the founder of the successful beauty brand Fenty Beauty. In September, she and A$AP Rocky celebrated the birth of their third child, a daughter named Rocki Irish Mayers.
