Woman pleads not guilty to attempted murder of singer Rihanna
A Florida woman, Ivana Lisette Ortiz, has pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles to the attempted murder of Grammy-winning musician Rihanna. This follows an incident earlier this month where gunshots were reportedly fired at Rihanna's Los Angeles mansion, though no injuries were reported.
Ivana Lisette Ortiz, a 35-year-old woman from Orlando, Florida, pleaded not guilty on March 25, 2026, to attempted murder and multiple firearms-related charges for allegedly firing approximately 20 shots at singer Rihanna's Los Angeles mansion. The incident occurred on March 8, 2026, around 1:20 p.m. when Ortiz allegedly drove a white Tesla with paper plates past Rihanna's Beverly Crest home and fired an AR-15-style rifle at the property. Bullets struck the front gate, entrance, an exterior vehicle, and at least two homes on the block, though no injuries were reported.
Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, their three children, Rihanna's mother, and two staff members were present in a trailer on the property at the time of the shooting, along with people in a neighboring residence. Police tracked the Tesla to the Sherman Oaks Galleria parking lot, where Ortiz was arrested and an assault-style rifle was recovered from the vehicle. Ortiz faces 14 felony counts including one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling.
During her arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court, bail was set at $1.875 million by Judge Theresa R. McGonigle, who also issued a protective order barring Ortiz from contacting Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, their neighbors, or their property and work addresses. If convicted, Ortiz could face life in prison. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges in a press conference following the incident.
Ortiz is a licensed speech pathologist in Florida with prior arrests including alleged violence against an ex-partner. Rihanna fans uncovered her online history containing posts attacking the singer, including messages like 'Listen, Rihanna, when you die, God is taking me to my future' and accusations of witchcraft. The motive remains under investigation, including whether Ortiz knew Rihanna lived at the targeted residence. Ortiz remains jailed as the case proceeds through the legal system.
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