LOS ANGELES – A shocking incident involving a Florida woman and celebrity couple Rihanna and A$AP Rocky has led to serious legal consequences. Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, aged 36, is facing 14 felony counts, including attempted murder, after allegedly driving across the country to shoot at their home.
The grand jury indictment against Ortiz was unsealed recently, revealing the severity of the charges she faces. Appearing in court in yellow jail clothes, Ortiz spoke only to her attorney, who entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. The judge subsequently set her bail at an astonishing $2.6 million.
The case has moved quickly since a judge determined that Ortiz is mentally competent to stand trial. This decision came after months of psychiatric evaluations, which had initially stalled the proceedings. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott emphasized the seriousness of Ortiz’s actions, stating, “This is a person who wanted to kill Rihanna. Everyone else was collateral damage.”
In March, Ortiz was charged with attempted murder and several other felonies, to which she pleaded not guilty. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident. However, bullets struck an Airstream trailer where Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were present, as well as the wall of a nursery where their three young children were with a nanny.
The grand jury indictment supersedes the previous charges, allowing prosecutors to bypass the preliminary hearing process usually required in California. Ortiz now faces multiple counts, including 10 for assault with an assault weapon and three for shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper. If convicted on all counts, she could face life in prison.
Details about Ortiz’s mental health evaluations remain sealed, and there has been no public discourse on her mental state. Interestingly, prosecutors have not disclosed any motive for her actions, nor is there any known connection between Ortiz and Rihanna, who is a licensed speech pathologist with no prior criminal record.
Authorities allege that on March 8, Ortiz drove a Tesla from Orlando to the Beverly Hills area, aimed an AR-15 style rifle out of the window, and fired approximately 20 rounds towards Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s home and a neighboring property. Investigators found bullet holes in the trailer and on the exterior wall of the nursery where the children and nanny were present. Rihanna’s mother and several staff members were also in the home at the time.
After her arrest, Ortiz reportedly told investigators, “I wasn’t attempting murder,” though her actions suggest otherwise. Rihanna, a nine-time Grammy Award winner, is known for her hits like “Umbrella,” “Work,” and “We Found Love.”
