Woman accused of opening fire at Rihanna’s home denies attempted murder charge
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz entered a not guilty plea in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday through her lawyer and remains in custody as the criminal case moves forward.
A 35-year-old woman accused of firing at Rihanna’s Los Angeles property has denied trying to kill the singer and several others said to have been inside the home at the time.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz entered a not guilty plea in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday through her lawyer and remains in custody as the criminal case moves forward.
Prosecutors say Ortiz drove to the Beverly Crest mansion on 8 March and opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle at about 1:15pm local time. Investigators allege the target was not only Rihanna, but also rapper A$AP Rocky, their three young children and others believed to have been at the residence or in a neighbouring property.
No injuries were reported.
The case is being treated as extremely serious. Ortiz is facing an attempted murder charge along with a string of other felony counts, including 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts linked to shooting at an occupied dwelling or camper.
Court papers identify the alleged victims by their legal names, including Robyn Fenty and Rakim Mayers, as well as members of their family and others said to have been present.
Authorities say Ortiz fired around 20 rounds before leaving the scene. Her white Tesla was later found roughly eight miles away at a shopping centre in Sherman Oaks, where she was arrested.
During the hearing, the defence asked the court to lower her bail. But prosecutors opposed that request, arguing that the allegations pointed to a deliberate and dangerous act that placed multiple lives at risk. They also told the court Ortiz had a wig with her, which they said suggested planning and an attempt at disguise.
The judge did not grant bail relief. Ortiz remains detained, with bail set at $1.875 million. The court also barred her from working as a speech pathologist in California while the case is pending.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 8 April.
If convicted on the most serious charges, Ortiz could face life in prison. Neither her lawyer nor representatives for Rihanna immediately commented after the hearing.
