Rihanna, her longtime partner A$AP Rocky and their three children were not physically harmed during the Sunday, March 8 incident
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NEED TO KNOW
- Ivanna Ortiz, the woman who allegedly fired multiple shots at Rihanna’s Beverly Hills, Calif., home, has been charged with the crime and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted
- The 35-year-old faces one count of attempted murder, in addition to multiple other charges
- Rihanna and her family, including partner A$AP Rocky and their three children, were not physically harmed
The woman accused of shooting at Rihanna’s Beverly Hills home could face life in prison after she was charged with 14 felony counts, including attempted murder.
Ivanna Ortiz, 35, was charged Tuesday, March 10, with one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a press release.
If convicted as charged, Ortiz faces up to life in state prison. Her arraignment is scheduled for March 25.
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“Opening fire in any populated neighborhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in the release. “Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons.”
Ortiz appeared at a court hearing on Tuesday in a blue inmate uniform with her blonde hair in braids. She spoke to a lawyer through the glass, per Coast Reporter.
Her attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jamarcus Bradford, entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. However, he later withdrew it until her arraignment later this month, the outlet reported.
When contacted by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Public Defender's Office said it "has been appointed to represent Ivanna Ortiz, who has been charged in connection with an alleged shooting incident near the residence of Rihanna."
"Because this matter is pending before the Court, our Office cannot comment on the allegations at this time," the spokesperson continued. "As in every case, we will work to ensure that our client receives the full protections guaranteed under the Constitution."
Hochman confirmed that the home belongs to Rihanna during a news conference announcing the charges on Tuesday.
Rihanna, 38, lives at the residence with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, and their three children, sons RZA, 3½, Riot, 2½, and 6-month-old daughter Rocki.
Ortiz is accused of driving up to the front of Rihanna’s home and firing a semiautomatic weapon multiple times at the house. Eight people, including the Fenty founder, A$AP Rocky and their three children, were home at the time of the incident. Rihanna's mother and two employees were also present.
Ortiz also allegedly fired at a neighboring home where two individuals were, rounding out the 10 felony counts against her, Hochman said.
It's unclear where each bullet is located, he added.
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Ortiz then allegedly fled the scene but was arrested shortly after in Sherman Oaks. Her bail has been set at $1,875,000, per Hochman.
The accused is a Florida resident with a history of prior arrests, the Los Angeles Times reported.
After the shooting, a source told PEOPLE that the incident was "terrifying" for the star, but "thankfully everyone is safe."
A Facebook profile appearing to belong to Ortiz features more than one post referencing Rihanna, including one from Feb. 23, in which she told the singer, "say something to me directly instead of sneaking around like you talking to me."
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It is not clear if Ortiz has any personal connection to Rihanna.
A rep for Rihanna did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s previous request for comment.
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