California Revokes License of Speech Pathologist Accused in Rihanna Shooting Incident
The woman accused of firing shots into Rihanna's Beverly Hills mansion while the singer and her family were present inside has officially lost her license to practice speech language pathology in California. Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, aged 35, faced license revocation at the request of the state attorney general, directly linked to her arrest following the March 8 incident at the home of the 38-year-old Umbrella singer, according to court documents reviewed by The Hollywood Reporter.
License Revocation and Professional Background
The 35-year-old suspect, who faces fourteen serious charges including attempted murder in connection with the shooting, had been certified as a licensed speech pathologist for over a decade. This decisive action came after California's speech pathology governing board formally requested that Ortiz be barred from working in the profession, particularly if she were to be released from custody at any point.
Ortiz originally obtained her professional license in April 2016, and it was not scheduled to expire until June 2027, as detailed in the court documents. The revocation represents a significant professional consequence alongside the severe criminal allegations she now confronts.
Court Proceedings and Plea
On Wednesday, Ortiz appeared in a hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges against her. Initially, Deputy Public Defender Derek Ray Dillman had entered a not guilty plea on Ortiz's behalf, but this was subsequently withdrawn due to scheduling complications surrounding the formal arraignment process.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced on March 10 that Ortiz faces one count of attempted murder, ten counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and three counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling or camper. If convicted of these crimes, Ortiz could potentially face up to life in state prison, according to Hochman's statements.
Details of the Shooting Incident
Prosecutors revealed that Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky (real name Rakim Mayers), their three children—sons RZA, three, and Riot, two, along with daughter Rocki, five months—and Rihanna's mother were all present on the property during the shooting, accompanied by two staff members. Although initial reports suggested Rocky was not home, the district attorney later corrected this, indicating the 37-year-old Helicopter artist was actually inside an Airstream trailer on the premises when Ortiz allegedly opened fire.
According to the charges, Ortiz allegedly fired ten shots with a semiautomatic firearm into the singer's home. The three counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling stem from Rihanna's property containing two dwellings, plus Ortiz allegedly shooting at a neighboring residence. The ten assault charges correspond to each individual allegedly in the line of fire during the incident.
Two additional individuals were inside the neighboring home that Ortiz allegedly targeted. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the shooting, though a law enforcement official told the Los Angeles Times that Rihanna and Rocky easily could have been hit given the circumstances.
Bail Conditions and Protective Orders
During a press conference, the Los Angeles District Attorney announced that Judge Theresa McGonigle set Ortiz's bail at $1,875,000. Should Ortiz make bail, she has been ordered to stay away from both Rihanna and Rocky under a protective order issued by the court.
In addition to the stay-away order, Judge McGonigle mandated that Ortiz surrender all firearms in her possession. These conditions aim to ensure community safety while legal proceedings continue.
Investigation and Background Revelations
Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated during a recent crime briefing that the motive for the shooting remains unestablished, though the investigation by the LAPD's Robbery–Homicide Division is actively ongoing.
The Daily Mail has uncovered that Ortiz previously shared messages online directly targeting Rihanna, including seething Facebook posts criticizing the hitmaker. In one post, she suggested Rihanna had spoken negatively about her, though no established connection between the two women has been verified.
Ortiz also shared videos discussing Rihanna's death and making disturbing threats toward the singer. Furthermore, the Daily Mail revealed Ortiz has prior arrests in Florida for domestic violence, careless driving, and violating pretrial release conditions, adding context to her legal history.
The case continues to develop as both the criminal prosecution and professional disciplinary actions proceed simultaneously, highlighting the serious intersection of alleged violent crime and professional accountability.
