Woman to make first court appearance following shooting at Rihanna’s residence.
A woman from Florida is facing charges for allegedly firing gunshots at Rihanna’s Los Angeles home, resulting in one count of attempted murder and numerous other felony offenses, including ten counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon outside the singer’s residence in the Beverly Hills area, with Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, their three young children, and her mother all present at the time.
The accused, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, was charged in the shooting incident and subsequently faced 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited vehicle or dwelling. These 14 charges are all felonies, and Ortiz appeared for arraignment before Judge Theresa McGonigle at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Protected by Deputy Public Defender Jamarcus Bradford, Ortiz initially pleaded not guilty, but the arraignment was postponed to March 25. She is being held on a $1.8 million bail amount and has been ordered to stay away from Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, and their home, and is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
According to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, there were ten individuals present at Rihanna’s property when gunshots were fired. Investigators believe that Ortiz drove to the location from Florida, though the exact timeline of her travels remains unclear. Public records show that Ortiz’s most recent address was in Orlando, and she has been a licensed speech pathologist for over ten years. Upon her arrest, a weapon was recovered, although investigators have not disclosed any known connection between Ortiz and Rihanna.
This incident is not the first time Rihanna’s home has been a target. In 2018, a man broke into another property owned by Rihanna in the Hollywood Hills and spent twelve hours there. The individual later pleaded no contest to stalking and vandalism charges, receiving a sentence of probation. A recipient of nine Grammy Awards, Rihanna has achieved fourteen number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including popular tracks like “We Found Love,” “Work,” “Umbrella,” and “Disturbia.” In addition to her music career, Rihanna launched the successful makeup brand Fenty Beauty in 2017.
Following this recent shooting incident, Ortiz remains in custody, awaiting her next court date. The details surrounding the shooting continue to unfold, shedding light on the complexities and potential dangers that can arise from such acts of violence. The close call experienced by Rihanna and her family serves as a stark reminder of the importance of personal safety and security, even for high-profile individuals like celebrities.