Woman Denies Attempted Murder Charges in Rihanna Beverly Hills Shooting Incident
The woman accused of opening fire on Rihanna's Beverly Hills mansion while the nine-time Grammy winner was home with her family has pleaded not guilty to fourteen serious criminal charges, including attempted murder of the global music icon. Ivanna Ortiz, a thirty-five-year-old resident of Orlando, Florida, entered her plea during a court arraignment on Wednesday at Los Angeles' downtown criminal courthouse.
Details of the Alleged Attack and Court Proceedings
Prosecutors allege that on March 8, Ortiz drove to the superstar's $13.8 million property and discharged approximately twenty rounds from an AR-15 assault rifle into the luxurious five-bedroom residence. During the brief court proceeding, Ortiz stood behind a glass window wearing yellow Los Angeles County Jail overalls, showing no visible emotion as her attorney, public defender Derek Dillman, entered not guilty pleas on her behalf.
The charges against Ortiz include one count of attempted murder, ten counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Judge Theresa McGonigle presided over the hearing and denied Dillman's request to reduce Ortiz's bail amount, which remains set at $1.875 million. The judge cited "the importance of public safety" and stated there was "clear and convincing evidence" supporting the substantial bail figure.
Prosecution's Arguments and Safety Concerns
Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott argued vigorously for maintaining the high bail amount, telling the court that Ortiz's actions "could easily have resulted in multiple homicides…of children and adults." Bott emphasized that the shooting appeared premeditated, noting that Ortiz allegedly arrived at Rihanna's home "with a loaded weapon, ammunition and a wig as a disguise."
Miraculously, despite the barrage of gunfire, no one sustained injuries during the incident. Rihanna, thirty-eight, was inside the mansion with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, and their three young children: sons RZA and Riot, aged three and two respectively, and six-month-old daughter Rocki. LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that the pop diva's mother and two staff employees were also present in the home at the time of the shooting.
Additional Victims and Arrest Details
The ten counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm include eight charges related to individuals inside Rihanna's home and two additional charges concerning neighbors who were inside a nearby house that also sustained gunfire damage. Ortiz was apprehended approximately thirty minutes after the shooting when police helicopters tracked her white Tesla Model 3 to a parking lot at Sherman Oaks Galleria, located about twelve miles from Beverly Hills.
Law enforcement officials reported that the vehicle was identified relatively quickly partly because of its noticeably dirty appearance. Ortiz now faces the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted on all charges. She will remain incarcerated until her next scheduled court appearance on April 8, when a date will be established for her preliminary hearing.
Background and Disturbing Online Behavior
Ortiz, who identifies herself as both a licensed speech pathologist and a "Christian influencer," has been targeting Rihanna through a series of bizarre and disturbing online posts. In Facebook messages and videos, she has made unsubstantiated claims that the singer has spoken negatively about her, despite no known connection between the two women.
In one particularly alarming video posted in January, Ortiz made inflammatory statements including: "The way that Rihanna wants to kill me, she's the one who wants to kill me… Listen, Rihanna, when you die, God is taking me to my future. You want to kill me? Shut up. Yeah, she's a witch. She's a witch. I'm a watchman."
Personal History and Custody Issues
According to news reports, Ortiz has experienced significant personal challenges, including losing custody of her ten-year-old child to ex-husband Jed Nikko Valdez Sangalang in April 2024. This custody decision followed her involuntary commitment to a psychiatric facility under Florida state law approximately one year earlier. Florida statutes permit up to seventy-two-hour voluntary or involuntary holds for mental health evaluation and treatment.
A Florida judge reportedly awarded Sangalang full physical custody of their child and prohibited Ortiz from any contact, including in-person meetings, phone calls, video chats, text messages, and emails. In December of last year, Ortiz filed an appeal seeking to overturn this custody decision. Her history includes prior encounters with law enforcement, though specific details of those incidents were not disclosed during Wednesday's court proceedings.
Judge McGonigle maintained strict control over the courtroom environment, prohibiting photographs or video recordings of Ortiz during the arraignment. The case continues to develop as prosecutors prepare their evidence and the defense prepares its response to the serious allegations against the Florida resident.
