Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed multiple felony charges after gunfire was reported at a Beverly Hills property owned by singer Rihanna. Authorities allege that Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, of Florida, fired several rounds toward the residence on Sunday afternoon.
Court records show Ortiz has been charged with one count of attempted murder, ten counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling under California law.
Officials said no injuries were reported. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, their children and Rihanna’s mother were present at the property at the time of the incident.
Ortiz is currently being held in custody pending further court proceedings.
The Charges Explained
The case involves several serious felony offences under California criminal law, each addressing different aspects of the alleged conduct.
Attempted Murder
Attempted murder requires prosecutors to prove that a defendant acted with the intent to kill and took a direct step toward carrying out that act. Under California law, attempted murder convictions can carry lengthy prison sentences, particularly when firearms are involved.
Assault With a Semiautomatic Firearm
Assault with a semiautomatic firearm, defined under California Penal Code §245(b), applies when a person assaults another using a semiautomatic weapon. Each individual allegedly placed at risk can support a separate count, which helps explain why prosecutors filed multiple charges in this case.
Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling
Shooting at an inhabited dwelling, under Penal Code §246, criminalises intentionally firing at an occupied residence or building. The offence may be charged even if no person is physically injured, reflecting the law’s focus on protecting residential safety.
In cases involving gunfire directed at homes, prosecutors frequently bring multiple counts because every person inside the residence may be considered a separate potential victim under California assault statutes.
Incident Overview
According to police reports and dispatch audio cited by local media, the shooting occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday near a Beverly Hills property owned by Rihanna.
Investigators say approximately ten shots were fired toward the residence’s front gate from a vehicle positioned across the street. Reports indicate that several rounds struck the gate and nearby structures.
Law enforcement officers later located the suspect vehicle in the Sherman Oaks area and arrested Ortiz roughly 30 minutes after the initial emergency call.
Authorities believe Ortiz travelled from Florida to Los Angeles prior to the incident, although officials have not publicly confirmed the timeline of her travel or whether she had any connection to Rihanna.
Police have not publicly identified a motive. Cases involving gunfire directed at residential properties are often investigated as potential attempted murder or assault offences under California law, even when no injuries occur.
Bail and Criminal Procedure
Following her arrest, Ortiz was booked on felony charges and remains in custody.
Initial booking records indicated bail exceeding $10 million, while subsequent court proceedings set bail at approximately $1.8 million pending arraignment.
In California criminal cases, judges determine bail by considering several factors, including the seriousness of the alleged offence, the potential risk to public safety, and the likelihood that a defendant may fail to appear in court before trial.
The Los Angeles public defender’s office has been appointed to represent Ortiz.
Her arraignment — the first formal court appearance where the defendant enters a plea to the charges — is scheduled for March 25.
At the arraignment, prosecutors will formally present the charges and the court will set the next procedural steps in the case.
Legal Context: Firearm Offences and Residential Shooting Cases
Incidents involving gunfire directed at occupied homes are treated particularly seriously under California criminal law because they combine the use of firearms with threats to residential safety.
Even when no injuries occur, prosecutors frequently pursue multiple felony counts if the alleged conduct endangered several individuals inside a residence. Under California law, each person present in the property may be considered a separate potential victim for the purposes of assault-related charges.
California statutes also allow sentencing enhancements when firearms are discharged during violent offences. If proven in court, these enhancements can substantially increase potential prison exposure for a defendant following conviction.
What Happens Next
The next procedural step will be Ortiz’s arraignment, where the charges will be formally presented and the defendant will enter a plea.
If the case proceeds, the court will typically schedule a preliminary hearing at which prosecutors must show that sufficient evidence exists to support the charges before the matter can move forward toward trial.
Investigators may also continue examining evidence related to the suspect’s travel, weapon acquisition and potential motive as the case develops. Depending on the outcome of the preliminary hearing, the court will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.