“IF I CANNOT HAVE HER, NOBODY WILL”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AUTHORITIES SAY ACTIVE-DUTY MARINE ISAAC RUIZ BROKE INTO A WILMINGTON HOME AND BRUTALLY ATTACKED 22-YEAR-OLD SAVANNAH JOHNSON AFTER SHE REJECTED HIS ROMANTIC INTEREST… AND HE NOW FACES CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER WHILE HELD ON A $1 MILLION SECURED BOND.
On June 15, 2026, police officers responded to a residential home in the Talon Court area of Wilmington, North Carolina.
They arrived at the scene regarding a violent assault that left a woman critically injured.
The victim was identified as 22-year-old Savannah Johnson.
Johnson had traveled to North Carolina from her home state of Michigan.
She had recently graduated from Northern Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in illustration and a minor in psychology.
At the time of the attack, Johnson was staying with relatives in Wilmington.
She had been exploring local job opportunities while considering a permanent move to North Carolina.
Johnson was in bed when an intruder entered the home and attacked her, according to her family.
The assault inflicted severe and catastrophic physical trauma.
Johnson suffered fractures to both her neck and her upper back.
The attack also caused critical damage to blood vessels located in her neck.
Medical evaluations revealed that she sustained a vertebral artery dissection along with narrowing of her carotid artery.
Her condition required immediate emergency spinal surgery.
Johnson was also placed on respiratory support.
Johnson’s mother said her daughter was initially paralyzed from the neck down following the assault.
During the early stages of the investigation, another man was arrested in connection with the attack.
But on June 19, 2026, those charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence after information obtained during the investigation supported the man’s alibi.
Wilmington police continued investigating the assault through multiple investigative avenues.
Detectives conducted witness interviews and reviewed area surveillance footage.
They analyzed forensic evidence and followed up on information submitted by members of the public.
Then, on June 24, 2026, authorities arrested 26-year-old Isaac Ruiz of Onslow County in connection with the assault.
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Ruiz is an active-duty U.S. Marine.
He served as a mortarman with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division stationed at Camp Lejeune.
Johnson’s father said his daughter had previously met Ruiz after the two were set up on a double date with another couple.
According to her family, Johnson did not reciprocate Ruiz’s romantic interest.
Her family believes his reaction to the rejection may have played a role in the attack.
Authorities, however, have not publicly established an official motive.
Following his arrest, Ruiz was initially charged with first-degree burglary.
He also faced initial charges of assault by strangulation and assault inflicting serious bodily injury.
Court records show that investigators obtained search warrants for Ruiz’s iPhone.
Investigators also secured search warrants to examine his vehicle.
Meanwhile, Johnson began her medical recovery.
Over time, she gradually regained some movement in her arms.
She also regained movement in her feet and hips.
Eventually, movement returned to her fingers as well.
Johnson was later transferred to a specialized rehabilitation facility in the Midwest for intensive spinal cord therapy.
And on August 24, 2026, a grand jury indicted Ruiz on additional charges.
Ruiz is now charged with attempted first-degree murder.
He also faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.
In addition, the grand jury indicted Ruiz on a count of robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Ruiz remains held in custody on a $1 million secured bond.
He is scheduled to appear for an administrative court hearing on October 12, 2026.
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
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