Rihanna Home Shooting: Case Against Ivanna Ortiz Suspended for Mental Competency Evaluation

The legal proceedings against the woman accused of opening fire at Rihanna’s Los Angeles residence have taken a significant turn. On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Judge Shannon Cooley suspended the attempted murder case against 35-year-old Ivanna Ortiz, citing a need to evaluate the defendant’s mental competency.

The decision follows a private meeting between the judge and a public defender, leading to a referral to the county’s mental health court. Experts there will now determine if Ortiz is mentally capable of understanding the legal proceedings against her. This ruling marks a sharp reversal from just one week prior, when Judge Cooley had denied a similar request, stating there wasn’t sufficient evidence to override Ortiz’s own demand to proceed to trial.

A Terrifying Encounter: The March 8 Shooting

The charges stem from a violent incident on March 8, when prosecutors say Ortiz drove to the home of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky (born Rakim Mayers) and discharged approximately 20 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle. At the time of the attack, the property was occupied by the celebrity couple, their three young children, and Rihanna’s mother.

According to a police report, the couple was inside an Airstream trailer parked outside the house when the attack began. Rihanna reported hearing “approximately ten loud sounds like something banging on metal.” Upon opening the curtains, she discovered bullet holes in the windshield directly in front of her. In a split-second reaction, she grabbed Mayers out of bed and pushed him to the ground, shouting, “They shooting at us.” The couple then retreated into the garage to secure their children and staff.

Evidence of Premeditation and Planning

Prosecutors have argued that the shooting was not a random act but a “calculated” attack. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott highlighted several pieces of evidence suggesting careful planning:

• Equipment: Ortiz allegedly brought a loaded high-powered rifle and ammunition to a residential neighborhood.
• Disguise: The defendant reportedly wore a wig to conceal her identity during the crime.
• Social Media Threats: Investigators found erratic posts on social media where Ortiz tagged Rihanna directly. In a YouTube video titled “Praying Woman’s Journal, Day 39,” posted on January 4, 2026, Ortiz told the singer, “When you die, God is taking me to my future. You want to kill me. Shut the fuck up.”

Following the shooting, witnesses spotted a white Tesla Model 3 with paper license plates fleeing the scene. A police helicopter quickly located the vehicle, leading to Ortiz’s arrest. Forensic evidence at the scene confirmed six bullet holes in the vehicle gate, one in a pedestrian gate, and three in a wooden fence.

Legal Charges and Professional Fallout

Ivanna Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to a series of severe charges, including:

• One count of attempted murder.
• 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
• Three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling.

Beyond the criminal charges, the incident has derailed Ortiz’s professional life. Formerly a licensed speech pathologist in California, Ortiz is now barred from practicing. The state’s Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology successfully petitioned the court to suspend her license while the criminal case remains pending, a request that has already been granted by a judge.

What’s Next for the Case?

The focus now shifts to the county’s mental health court. The upcoming evaluation will determine whether Ortiz can stand trial or if her mental state renders her incompetent to participate in her own defense. If she is found competent, the attempted murder and firearms charges will proceed; if not, the legal trajectory of the case will change significantly.