Woman Charged After Alleged Shooting at Rihanna’s Los Angeles Mansion.
Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed multiple felony charges against Ivana Lisette Ortiz, the woman accused of firing gunshots at the home of global music star Rihanna while the singer and several others were inside.
Authorities said Ortiz is facing 14 charges, including attempted murder, use of a firearm, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and shooting into an inhabited dwelling with enhancement.
Ortiz made a brief appearance in a Los Angeles criminal courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, but her arraignment was postponed until later this month.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the suspect had driven to Los Angeles from Florida prior to the shooting.
“My understanding is the person drove here from Florida. How long they have been in the area, I don’t have that information, but we are currently working on it,” said Jim McDonnell, chief of the LAPD.
Investigators said Ortiz arrived at the singer’s home Sunday afternoon carrying a semiautomatic rifle and fired several rounds toward the house. Rihanna was reportedly at home at the time along with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, their three children, her mother, and two staff members. No injuries were reported.
Ortiz was initially held on bail set at more than $10 million, but the amount was later reduced to $1.875 million. Police said the original figure reflected the presence of 10 victims inside the residence at the time of the shooting, though it remains unclear why the bail was subsequently lowered.
Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office district attorney, said authorities intend to take strong action against such crimes.
“The message is very simple and very clear: Come into this county from anywhere and we will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will punish you if you engage in shooting at inhabited dwellings,” Hochman said.
He added that Ortiz’s motive remains under investigation, with law enforcement reviewing social media videos and other potential evidence to determine what led to the incident.
If convicted on all charges, Ortiz could face a sentence of up to life in state prison.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong