The intentional and premeditated shooting at Rihanna's Beverly Hills mansion on Sunday has sent shockwaves through the celebrity world. As reported by People, citing a criminal complaint, the "Diamonds" singer and Fenty Beauty billionaire was the intended target. She was at home with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, their three children - RZA, Riot, and Rocki, along with others, when 10 shots were fired at the property using an AR-15-style rifle. The incident was reported by Nathan Hochman, the District Attorney of Los Angeles County.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz of Orlando was arrested after fleeing the scene in a white Tesla. She faces one count of attempted murder, among other charges, and appeared in court on Tuesday. Reportedly, Rihanna left Los Angeles on Monday amidst the police investigation.
The shooting incident occurred when eight people were at Rihanna's home at around 1:20 p.m. on Sunday. Shots were fired from the street at the residence with a semiautomatic firearm, hitting Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, their three children, Rihanna's mother, Monica Braithwaite, and two employees. According to Hochman, authorities are still investigating the locations of each bullet. Los Angeles police told NBC News that four rounds or fragments had hit the property, which Rihanna purchased for $13.8 million in 2020. Thankfully, no one inside was physically injured.
Shots were also fired at a neighboring home that had two people inside. In 911 audio reviewed by People, a dispatcher can be heard relaying information from a caller to police, saying that "approximately 10 shots" had been fired at the residence from a white Tesla across the street. The car fled but was located in Sherman Oaks soon after. Ortiz was taken into custody without incident, and a weapon was recovered. Her bail has been set at $1.8 million.
Ortiz, who reportedly has a prior record of arrests in Florida, appeared in court on Tuesday. She is charged with "malice aforethought attempt to murder" Rihanna, as well as 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm - one for each person at the two properties - and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper. The camper refers to an Airstream trailer on Rihanna's property where she and A$AP Rocky were at the time of the shooting.
Ortiz faces up to life in state prison if she's convicted as charged. Her public defender initially entered a not-guilty plea on her behalf but withdrew it in favor of postponing the arraignment until March 25. According to Associated Press, Ortiz wore a blue jail-issued outfit to court with her hair in braids. She spoke to her lawyer through a glass divider.
A Facebook profile appearing to belong to Ortiz features more than one post referencing Rihanna, including one from Feb. 23 in which she tagged the star and falsely alleged that she has AIDS, writing, "Say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you talking to me." Authorities haven't disclosed a possible motive yet, but prosecutors say they will be investigating social media posts in a wider effort to figure out why Rihanna was targeted.
Ortiz is under a stay-away order preventing her from contacting any of the victims. The suspect also has arrest records in Florida, including one involving a dispute with her ex-husband, according to NBC News.
Rihanna was photographed boarding a private plane at Van Nuys Airport and leaving L.A. on Monday. It's unclear who was traveling with her and where she was going, but she has a stacked real estate portfolio with properties in New York City, Barbados, and other locations in L.A.
This shooting case is just one more hurdle for the couple to overcome after A$AP Rocky was found not guilty in a felony gun trial last year where he was accused of shooting his former friend A$AP Relli in 2021. Rihanna remained by his side throughout the proceedings and was present when he was acquitted. She gave birth to their daughter last September.
