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What is known so far
Rihanna’s home in Los Angeles was shot at least ten times on Sunday evening – and the investigation has been ongoing ever since. The Los Angeles Police Department has gradually released more details about the incident, including the identities of the main suspects who have already been arrested. Here’s everything that’s known so far.
The gun attack on Rihanna’s house
On Sunday, March 8, at least “10 shots” were fired at Rihanna’s home around 1:21 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Times reported. The shots were said to have been fired from a white Tesla that was parked across the street from the property. At least one bullet penetrated the wall of the house. NBC News reported that the entrance gate to Rihanna’s property had bullet holes. At the time of the attack, Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky and their three children were in the house – all were physically unharmed.
Arrested shortly after the attack
The main suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, a capital felony, an LAPD spokesman confirmed to Rolling Stone on Monday. Half an hour after the emergency call, officers spotted the white Tesla and tracked it to a shopping center parking lot in Sherman Oaks. LAPD spokesman Armen Arias said: “When they stopped the suspect and took her into custody, they searched the vehicle and found an assault rifle and seven shell casings,” according to the report Times reported. According to NBC, the suspect allegedly used an AR-15-style rifle in the attack when she allegedly drove to the house and fired. She was officially booked just after 2 a.m. Monday, with bail set at $10.225 million. Official charges are still pending.
Suspect identified as Ivanna Lissete Ortiz
On Monday, the LAPD identified the shooter as 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz. Her file in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s inmate database describes her as blonde with brown eyes. The licensed speech therapist has criminal records in Orlando and Orange County, Florida. These arrests are related to a 2013 bankruptcy case, 2021 traffic negligence charges, and 2023 domestic violence and assault charges. NBC News reported that Ortiz is originally from Illinois, according to her social media profiles, but now lives in Orlando.
No motive known
Although the LAPD released information identifying Ortiz as the primary suspect, the agency did not provide a motive for the attack. There has also been no reported connection between Ortiz and Rihanna or A$AP Rocky.
Disturbing social media videos surfaced
On Monday, the New York Post published disturbing social media posts that appeared to be attributed to Ortiz. The suspect addressed Rihanna directly in various posts. An X post from February 23rd reads: “@badgalriri – Are you there? Because I was waiting for you, AIDS forehead, to tell me something directly instead of secretly talking behind my back.” Ortiz also apparently runs a YouTube channel where she posts a video series called “Praying Woman’s Journal.”
