Don Lemon, the prominent journalist, has publicly shared a chilling account of how he narrowly avoided being present at Rihanna's Beverly Hills residence during a recent shooting incident. Speaking at the 12th Annual Better Brothers Los Angeles Truth Awards on Saturday, Lemon, 60, revealed to TMZ that it was sheer luck that kept him away from the frightening event.
The Terrifying Incident at Rihanna's Home
Earlier this month, Rihanna's home in Beverly Hills was targeted in a shooting while the singer, her partner A$AP Rocky, and their family were inside. The alleged shooter, Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, has been hit with 14 charges, including attempted murder, following the attack. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced in a press conference on March 10 that Ortiz could face up to life in state prison if convicted.
Lemon's Personal Connection to the Scene
During the awards event, Lemon expressed his relief, stating, 'I'm glad that Rihanna is okay after that crazy s**t happened at her house.' He went on to explain, 'Probably no one knows this, but I have a friend that lives very near Rihanna and I could have been there, because I was here in LA and we were supposed to stay with that friend. And it was frightening. And the friend had like damage to her house.'
Lemon detailed that he skipped visiting his friend because the Los Angeles marathon made it impossible to secure a car, prompting him to head straight to the airport instead. He reflected on the randomness of the situation, adding, 'It's so random. And I know it's a cliche but life is really precious and you never know, so you need to celebrate every single day.'
Details of the Charges and Investigation
According to Hochman, Ortiz has been charged with 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. The charges stem from the incident where Rihanna, 38, Rocky, 37, their three children—sons RZA, three; Riot, two; and daughter Rocki, five months—along with her mother and two staff members, were on the property. Two other individuals were in a neighboring home that was also fired upon.
Although no one was injured, a law enforcement official told the Los Angeles Times that Rihanna and Rocky 'easily could have been hit.' Ortiz's arraignment is scheduled for March 26, with Judge Theresa McGonigle setting bail at $1,875,000 and issuing a protective order requiring Ortiz to stay away from Rihanna and Rocky, as well as surrender all firearms.
Ongoing Investigation and Background of the Alleged Shooter
Jim McDonnell, chief of the LAPD, stated that the motive for the shooting remains undetermined, with an ongoing investigation by the Robbery–Homicide Division. The Daily Mail has reported that Ortiz previously shared online messages targeting Rihanna, including posts criticizing the singer and videos with disturbing threats. Additionally, Ortiz has a prior arrest record in Florida for domestic violence, careless driving, and violating pretrial release conditions.
Lemon's Current Circumstances
Meanwhile, Lemon recently celebrated his 60th birthday, sharing a selfie with Rihanna captioned 'Birthday hijinks with my girl Rihanna,' set to her 2011 hit Birthday Cake. However, he is still facing legal troubles after being charged for involvement in a January protest at a St. Paul church, where demonstrators disrupted a service against ICE operations. Lemon has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of such events and the importance of safety in celebrity neighborhoods, as Lemon's close call serves as a stark reminder of life's fragility.
