Woman Who Allegedly Shot at Rihanna’s Home Fit to Stand Trial

Ivanna Ortiz, the 36-year-old Florida woman accused of opening fire on Rihanna’s luxury Los Angeles home, is mentally competent to stand trial, a Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge ruled on Tuesday. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maria Cavalluzzi reinstated criminal proceedings after doubts regarding the defendant’s mental competence had previously paused the case. Ortiz faces multiple felony counts, including attempted murder and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, following a shooting incident on March 8.

Charges and Legal Status

Ortiz is formally charged with one count of attempted murder involving Rihanna, whose legal name is Robyn Fenty, alongside 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Court records show she also faces two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling and one count of shooting at an inhabited vehicle. Following Tuesday’s ruling to reinstate proceedings, Judge Cavalluzzi ordered the defendant to appear in court again on Wednesday. Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains held in detention in lieu of $1.875 million bail. Prosecutors stated that a conviction could result in life imprisonment without parole.

The March 8 Incident at the Beverly Crest Property

According to prosecutors, the shooting took place on March 8 at a sprawling property in the upscale Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles. Rihanna and her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky (whose real name is Rakim Mayers), were inside an Airstream trailer on the grounds when the gunman opened fire with an assault-style rifle. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott previously informed the court that the gunfire erupted while several people were at home, putting numerous lives at risk. Police reported that approximately 20 rounds were discharged, striking the trailer, a patio area, and a nursery room wall, with additional bullet holes discovered at a neighboring property according to a Los Angeles Police Department crime summary.

Rihanna told police she heard multiple rounds hitting the trailer and pulled back the curtains to find bullet holes in the windshield directly in front of her. She recounted waking up A$AP Rocky, warning him that they were being shot at as both dropped to the floor, before running inside the main residence to verify the safety of their three children and staff members. Law enforcement officers arrested Ortiz in a vehicle containing a rifle, ammunition, and a disguise consisting of a wig, with Deputy District Attorney Bott describing her behavior at the time as extremely dangerous.

Social Media Connections and Prior History

Entertainment news outlet TMZ reported that Ortiz had previously been involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation. A Facebook page linked to the defendant features numerous posts and videos mentioning high-profile celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, and Rihanna. One specific post directly tagged Rihanna, with a message challenging the singer to say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you talking to me where I’m not at. In another video shared on the page, Ortiz alleged that Rihanna wanted to harm her.