Rihanna Shooting: Florida Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder

LOS ANGELES – A Florida woman has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder stemming from a shooting at the Los Angeles home of singer Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky. Ivana Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, entered the plea Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to reports from the Associated Press and multiple local news outlets.

The incident, which occurred on March 8th, involved a barrage of gunfire – at least 20 bullets, according to prosecutors – allegedly fired from an AR-15 style rifle while Ortiz was driving a white Tesla past the couple’s Beverly Hills residence. Remarkably, no one was injured during the shooting, but bullets struck both the home and an Airstream trailer on the property.

New details revealed in a recently made public police report paint a clearer picture of the events. Rihanna told detectives that she and Rocky were inside the home when they heard approximately ten loud sounds, initially mistaken for something impacting metal. Upon investigation, she discovered bullet holes in the front window of the Airstream trailer, where Rocky had been sleeping. She alerted him and both retreated to the main house to ensure the safety of their three young children, Rihanna’s mother, and household staff.

The police report further indicates that a bullet penetrated the nursery on the second floor of the home, where the couple’s children and a nanny were present. While the nanny initially dismissed the sounds as innocuous, the discovery of bullet fragments on the front porch and numerous bullet holes in the property’s gates and walls confirmed the severity of the attack. Shots likewise impacted a neighboring home.

Ortiz was apprehended shortly after the shooting, allegedly in possession of the rifle, additional ammunition, and a wig used as a disguise. During questioning, she reportedly stated, “I would like to say that I wasn’t attempting murder. But that’s all I wanted to say,” before invoking her right to remain silent and requesting legal counsel.

Prosecutors have charged Ortiz with ten counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm – one for each person present on the two properties – and three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling. If convicted on all charges, she faces a potential life sentence. During Wednesday’s court appearance, Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott argued against reducing Ortiz’s $1.9 million bail, citing her as a “dangerous” and “deliberate” threat to the community, and expressing concern she would flee if released.

Ortiz’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Derek Dillman, requested a bail reduction to $70,000, citing her financial limitations. However, Judge Theresa McGonigle denied the request. The judge also issued a ruling preventing Ortiz from practicing as a speech pathologist in California, a profession she has held for over a decade, at the request of the state attorney general.

The investigation into a potential motive remains ongoing. District Attorney Nathan Hochman has declined to comment on any possible connection between Ortiz and Rihanna, or to speculate on the reasons behind the shooting. He did state that his office is reviewing Ortiz’s social media activity leading up to the incident.

Rihanna, a nine-time Grammy Award winner with 14 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including iconic tracks like “We Found Love” and “Umbrella,” is also a successful entrepreneur, founding the acclaimed makeup brand Fenty Beauty in 2017. She and A$AP Rocky welcomed their third child, a daughter named Rocki Irish Mayers, in September, joining their two sons, ages 2 and 3.

The case is expected to proceed to a preliminary hearing, where evidence will be presented to determine if there is sufficient cause to proceed to trial. The incident has raised concerns about security for high-profile individuals in the Los Angeles area and prompted increased scrutiny of gun control measures. The investigation continues, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.