Journalist Don Lemon narrowly avoided a dangerous shooting incident near Rihanna’s Beverly Hills residence. Speaking at the 12th Annual Better Brothers Los Angeles Truth Awards on Saturday, Lemon shared that he planned to stay with a friend living close to the singer’s home but skipped the visit due to traffic from the Los Angeles Marathon.
Lemon’s Close Call
“I’m glad that Rihanna is okay after that crazy s**t happened at her house,” Lemon stated. “Probably no one knows this, but I have a friend that lives very near Rihanna and I could have been there, because I was here in LA and we were supposed to stay with that friend. And it was frightening. And the friend had like damage to her house.”
He explained that the marathon disrupted transportation, forcing him to head straight to the airport. “It’s really scary,” Lemon added. “It’s so random. And I know it’s a cliche but life is really precious and you never know, so you need to celebrate every single day.”
Shooting Incident Details
The attack occurred earlier this month while Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, their three children—sons RZA, 3; Riot, 2; and daughter Rocki, 5 months—her mother, and two staff members were on the property. Officials confirm the family was inside an airstream trailer when gunfire erupted.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced charges against 35-year-old Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, including one count of attempted murder, ten counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and three counts of shooting into an inhabited dwelling. The additional counts stem from shots fired at Rihanna’s two dwellings and a neighboring home, where two other people were present.
No injuries occurred, though law enforcement notes that Rihanna and Rocky “easily could have been hit.”
Legal Proceedings
Ortiz faces up to life in prison if convicted. Judge Theresa McGonigle set bail at $1,875,000 and issued a protective order requiring Ortiz to avoid Rihanna and Rocky while surrendering all firearms. Arraignment is scheduled for March 26.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that investigators from the Robbery-Homicide Division have not determined a motive, but the probe continues.
Suspect’s Background
Ortiz previously posted online content targeting Rihanna, including criticisms, suggestions of negative comments from the singer, discussions of Rihanna’s death, and threats. No direct connection between the two women exists. She also faced prior arrests in Florida for domestic violence, careless driving, and violating pretrial release conditions.
Lemon’s Recent Activities
Lemon recently celebrated his 60th birthday with Rihanna, sharing a selfie captioned “Birthday hijinks with my girl Rihanna,” set to her 2011 track “Birthday Cake.”
Separately, Lemon faces charges related to a January protest at a St. Paul church that disrupted a service protesting ICE operations in the Twin Cities. He has pleaded not guilty; one pastor holds an official position with the local ICE field office.
