Rihanna Targeted in Mansion Shooting; Suspect Charged
Prosecutors allege Ivanna Ortiz intended to kill the singer during a shooting at her Los Angeles home.
Ivanna Ortiz, the suspect accused of firing into Rihanna's Los Angeles mansion in March, intended to kill the singer, with all others present considered "collateral damage," prosecutors stated Wednesday. Ortiz's indictment was unsealed the same day, revealing upgraded charges related to the incident.
Ortiz, 36, faces 10 counts of assault with an assault weapon, an upgrade from previous charges of assault with a semi-automatic weapon. Prosecutors also indicated that the weapon used in the crime was obtained and registered in Florida. She pleaded not guilty to all charges through her attorney.
Her bail was increased to $2.65 million. Ortiz is scheduled to return to court on October 29. This development follows a four-month delay after a judge raised concerns regarding Ortiz's mental competency.
Investigators allege Ortiz fired a high-powered rifle from her Tesla at Rihanna's Beverly Crest home on March 8. The shooting occurred while Rihanna and her partner, A$AP Rocky, were inside the main residence with their three young children and Rihanna's mother. Bullets also struck an Airstream trailer in the driveway.
Police apprehended Ortiz approximately three miles from the scene following a traffic stop in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood. An assault-style rifle was recovered from her vehicle. Prosecutors stated that Ortiz, the sole occupant of the car, was found with ammunition and a disguise, and that she was captured on camera. They also noted that she fired 20 rounds toward the home, where children were present.
The incident prompted Rihanna and her family to leave Los Angeles shortly after. Ortiz had previously posted videos on YouTube expressing grievances against Rihanna, claiming the singer was "stealing" from her, was "jealous," and referred to her as a "witch" with a "devil's face."
Ortiz's charges also include attempted murder with special allegations and three counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling or vehicle. Prosecutors stated she faces life in prison if convicted on all counts. Her bail was initially set at over $1.8 million.