A Florida woman accused of opening fire at pop star Rihanna’s Los Angeles home has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and several other charges.
Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, entered her plea through her lawyer on Wednesday at a Los Angeles County court. She is accused of trying to kill Rihanna after allegedly firing a semi-automatic rifle at the singer’s Beverly Crest mansion on 8 March. No one was hurt in the incident.
According to court documents, Ortiz allegedly targeted not only Rihanna but also rapper A$AP Rocky, their three young children and others present at the home and a nearby property.
Ortiz remains in custody with bail set at $1.875 million. She is scheduled to appear again for a preliminary hearing on 8 April.
Prosecutors said she fired around 20 rounds from an AR-style weapon, putting multiple lives at risk. They also claimed she had a wig with her, suggesting the attack may have been planned. A judge has barred her from working as a speech pathologist in California.
She faces several additional charges, including 10 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited property. Each assault charge relates to a different alleged victim.
The complaint names victims including Rihanna and A$AP Rocky—whose real names are Robyn Fenty and Rakim Mayers—their children, Rihanna’s mother Monica Fenty, and others.
Investigators said Ortiz allegedly drove up to the house, fired multiple shots, and then fled. Her vehicle was later found about 12 kilometres away at a shopping centre in Sherman Oaks, where she was arrested.
If convicted, Ortiz could face life in prison. Her lawyer and representatives for Rihanna have not yet commented on the case.
Source:BBC