Suspect in Rihanna shooting charged with attempted murder
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Rihanna's mansion in Hollywood Hills was broken into twice in 2018.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Matt Stevens
LOS ANGELES – A woman was charged with attempted murder on March 10 after police said she fired several rounds at a Los Angeles mansion belonging to the pop star Rihanna.
No injuries were reported after the attack.
The woman, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Orlando, Florida, was charged with 14 felony counts, including several counts each of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.
She is being held on bail of US$1.9 million (S$2.4 million) and faces up to life in prison if she is convicted. Her arraignment is March 25.
“Opening fire in any populated neighbourhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted,” Mr Nathan J. Hochman, the district attorney of Los Angeles County, said in a statement.
Ortiz is accused of driving up to Rihanna’s home on the afternoon of March 8 and firing multiple times at the residence, Mr Hochman said at a news conference.
Rihanna was on the property at the time, as were her partner, ASAP Rocky, their three children, her mother; and two members of her staff, Mr Hochman said.
Ortiz is also accused of firing at a neighbouring residence that housed two people, Mr Hochman said.
The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office said in a statement that it had been appointed to Ortiz’s case, but added: “Because this matter is pending before the court, our office cannot comment on the allegations at this time. As in every case, we will work to ensure that our client receives the full protections guaranteed under the Constitution.”
The police have said the motive for the shooting is under investigation, which Mr Hochman reiterated on March 10. Investigators recovered the weapon and turned the investigation over to the Robbery Homicide Division, which handles high-profile cases.
ASAP Rocky was acquitted by a Los Angeles jury in 2025 on two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, related to an altercation with a one-time friend.
A representative for Rihanna did not respond to multiple requests for comment. NYTIMES
