WILMINGTON — A Marine accused of attacking a 22-year-old on June 14 is still in custody with his next court date scheduled for Jan. 7, 2027. More details about the attack have come to light.
The family of the victim spoke to Port City Daily last week.
“It was very heartbreaking. It was worse than I had imagined,” the victim’s father, Ricky Johnson, said.
Read More: Marine’s bond set at $1 million after assault arrest
Savannah Johnson was attacked last month allegedly by an active duty Marine named Isaac Ruiz. It took place in a family member’s home at Talon Court while Savannah was on vacation. Ruiz faces charges of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary charges after police say he broke into a home and assailed Savannah.
According to Johnson’s father, his daughter met Ruiz prior to her June 14 attack. The pair had been set up on a double date with another couple. After the date, Savannah didn’t reciprocate Ruiz’s feelings, which her family believes was the motivation behind the assault.
“Obviously, he was stewing over that or something,” Johnson said. “It’s quite shocking that it would go to this length just because she wasn’t interested in him.”
As a result of the attack, Johnson suffered from fractures in her neck and back, vertebral artery dissection, and a narrowing of her carotid artery. Her injuries required her to be intubated using a ventilator as she had fluid in her lungs.
Savannah’s family and friends set up a Spotfund — a fundraising platform — to raise money for her medical bills. So far, more than $33,000 has been raised toward the $100,000 goal.
The top contribution is $2,000 — with Spotfund listing the donor as Isaac Ruiz. A cryptic message was included as well:
“Each day that passes you don’t realize how much stronger you are becoming. It will be over before you know it.”
Port City Daily reached out to the Wilmington Police Department asking if the WPD had verified the donation and comment were made by Ruiz or if they were investigating it as a threat.
“The original case against Mr. Ruiz remains an active, ongoing investigation,” WPD representative Brandon Shope said. “The Criminal Investigation Division is not able to provide further comment at this time due to that.”
Johnson’s family declined to comment on the Spotfund or if Ruiz attempted additional contact prior to his arrest.
If Ruiz’s $1-million secured bond is paid, the court has issued a no contact order. Ruiz remains in custody at the New Hanover County Detention Center, according to court documents, and is still on active duty. Ruiz was stationed at Camp Lejeune.
Marine Corps spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kristin Tortorici said decisions regarding administrative or legal action while facing charges are “made on a case-by-case basis.” It is unclear whether Ruiz will remain active duty until the trial.
Savannah Johnson is originally from Michigan and recently graduated from Northern Michigan University where she got a bachelor’s degree in illustration with a minor in psychology. Post graduation, Johnson decided to visit family in Wilmington to see if she liked the area and planned to look for a job and move to coastal Carolina in mid-August.
Two weeks into her trip, the attack happened.
“It was a nightmare because you don’t know what you’re heading into,” Johnson’s father said, describing the flight from Michigan to Wilmington after getting the call his daughter was in the hospital. “Even though the plane ride here is fairly quick, it still felt like it took forever because we were just so anxious to see our daughter, see her face and then hold her hand.”
Johnson’s parents stayed in Wilmington for more than a month to care for their daughter. She has since regained some movement in her arms, feet and hips.
“She’s determined that she’s going to walk again, and especially to get back to her art,” Johnson said, adding it was very emotional when Savannah’s fingers on her drawing hand regained movement. “That made her so emotional because it’s such a wonderful thing to see. Yeah, she so badly wants her fingers to get back to where they were, where she can do her art like she used to, because she’s a phenomenal artist.”
Her family transported Savannah via an angel flight to a rehabilitation center in the midwest where she will undergo a six-to-eight-week rehabilitation process. Angel flights are a charitable service airlines provide to individuals who need specialized medical treatments and offer free air transportation. The rehabilitation center Johnson will be receiving care at helped organize the flight.
Johnson said the love they’ve received from the local community has been “amazing.” One individual even offered up their car to the Johnson family.
“He said: ‘I have daughters, and you can use my car as long as you’re here,’” Johnson recalled.
The family also stayed in a Wilmington home offered by an unknown community member, who they now call a friend.
“We came here because of an evil act, but the love has just been amazing,” Johnson said.
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