35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz was criminally charged on Tuesday in connection with a shooting at Rihanna‘s Beverly Hills-area home.
The Florida woman faces one count of attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three felony counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper, per the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
“Opening fire in any populated neighbourhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted,” L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons.”
Ortiz did not enter a plea, according to The Los Angeles Times. A press release from the district attorney’s office stated that the arraignment was continued to March 25 and bail has been set to $1.875 million.
On Sunday, March 8, at least “10 shots” were fired toward Rihanna’s home, per The Times. The shots allegedly came from a white Tesla parked across the street from the residence and at least one bullet penetrated the side of the house. NBC News reported that the front gate to Rihanna’s property appeared to have bullet holes in it. Ortiz allegedly opened fire using an AR-15-style rifle, according to the outlet.
At the time of the shooting, Rihanna was at the home with her partner A$AP Rocky and their three kids. There has also not been any reported connection between Ortiz and Rihanna or A$AP Rocky.
Ortiz allegedly fled the scene but was arrested in Sherman Oaks a short time later. If convicted as charged, she faces up to life in state prison.
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Ortiz’s file in the L.A. County Sheriff’s inmate search described her as having blond hair and brown eyes. The licensed speech pathologist has arrest records in Orlando and Orange County, Florida. Those arrests were related to a 2013 bankruptcy case, suspicion of careless driving in 2021, and suspicion of domestic violence and battery in 2023. NBC News previously reported that Ortiz’s social media identified her as an Illinois native, but she is now an Orlando resident.
Following news of the shooting, the California Post shared concerning social media posts that appear to belong to Ortiz. In various posts, the suspect directly addressed Rihanna. One X post dated Feb. 23 reads: “@badgalriri — Are you there? ’Cause I was waiting for your AIDS 5-head self to say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you’re talking to me where I’m not at.”
A motive for the shooting remains unclear.
This article was updated on March 11 at 12:06 a.m. ET to include information from a Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office press release.
From Rolling Stone US
