Rihanna Shooting: Woman Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted Murder
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, the Florida woman accused of shooting at the Beverly Hills home of singer Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder and multiple firearms offenses. The plea was entered through her attorney at Los Angeles Superior Court on , according to reports.
Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, faces one count of attempted murder relating to Rihanna, along with ten counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an occupied vehicle or dwelling. If convicted on all charges, she could face a life sentence in state prison, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated earlier this month.
The charges stem from an incident on , when authorities allege Ortiz fired several rounds from her vehicle toward the couple’s residence in the Beverly Crest neighborhood of Los Angeles. Approximately 20 shots were reportedly fired at the property. Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, their three young children, and other household staff were present at the time, but no injuries were reported.
During the court appearance, Ortiz, dressed in yellow prison clothing with her hair in braids, spoke only to waive her right to a speedy preliminary hearing. This hearing would typically involve the presentation of evidence to determine if a trial is warranted. Her bail remains set at $1.875 million.
Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott described the case as involving “a dangerous, deliberate shooting into occupied homes,” emphasizing the potential for multiple fatalities. Authorities allege that Ortiz was apprehended hours after the shooting while alone in her car, which contained a rifle, additional ammunition, and a wig intended for use as a disguise.
According to court documents and reporting, police followed Ortiz’s Tesla to the Sherman Oaks Galleria mall, where she was taken into custody “without incident.”
While a clear motive for the shooting remains unclear, investigators are reportedly reviewing social media posts attributed to Ortiz, which reportedly contained bizarre references to Rihanna in the months leading up to the incident. Multiple outlets have reported on these posts, though their content has not been publicly detailed.
Public records indicate Ortiz is a licensed speech pathologist with over a decade of experience. However, she also has a prior arrest record, having been arrested on suspicion of domestic violence battery and violation of a domestic injunction in 2023, according to NBC Investigates Los Angeles, citing records from the Orange County, Florida Corrections Department.
The incident has drawn significant attention given Rihanna’s global celebrity. The nine-time Grammy winner has achieved fourteen number-one hits in the United States and nine in the United Kingdom, with iconic songs including “We Found Love,” “Umbrella,” “What’s My Name,” and “Diamonds.” She is also a successful entrepreneur as the founder of the popular makeup brand, Fenty Beauty.
The case is ongoing, and Ortiz is scheduled for future court appearances. The investigation is being led by the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division. A protective order has been issued, preventing Ortiz from contacting Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, as well as staying away from their property and associated operate addresses.