A grand jury expanded the case against Isaac Ruiz as Savannah Johnson continues intensive rehabilitation for injuries suffered in the June attack.

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Camp Lejeune Marine accused of breaking into a Wilmington home and severely injuring a 22-year-old Michigan woman now faces an attempted first-degree murder charge, marking a major expansion of the criminal case more than two months after the attack.

Isaac Ruiz, 26, was indicted in late August on attempted first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Those counts were added to earlier charges of assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary. Ruiz remained in the New Hanover County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond after the new indictment. The 2nd Marine Division has confirmed that he is a mortarman assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment at Camp Lejeune and has said military officials are cooperating with local authorities. The charges are allegations, and the case has not been resolved at trial.

The expanded indictment changes the legal focus of a case that began as an aggravated-assault investigation after Savannah Johnson was found critically injured at a home in the Talon Court area in June. Arrest records cited by local news organizations describe fractures to her neck and upper back and damage to blood vessels in her neck. Her family has said the injuries initially left her paralyzed from the neck down and required major medical treatment, including spinal care and help with breathing. By late August, Johnson was receiving treatment at a spinal rehabilitation facility and had regained some mobility and sensation, according to statements from her parents.

Johnson had recently graduated from Northern Michigan University and traveled from Michigan to Wilmington as she considered beginning the next stage of her life in coastal North Carolina. Her family said she had studied illustration, with a minor in psychology, and wanted to build a career as an artist. Northern Michigan University records list her among artists in the school’s 2026 senior exhibition. Relatives told Port City Daily that Johnson was staying with family while exploring work opportunities and considering a move to the Wilmington area. What was supposed to be a transition into a new career instead became a prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation effort.

According to Johnson’s father, Ricky Johnson, his daughter had met Ruiz before the attack during a double date arranged with another couple. Ricky Johnson said Savannah did not share Ruiz’s romantic interest after the date. The family believes that rejection may have preceded the alleged attack, although authorities have not publicly announced a motive as an established investigative finding. Police and court records accuse Ruiz of entering the home where Johnson was staying and assaulting her. The arrest warrant described serious spinal and vascular injuries, including fractures in the cervical and upper-back region and damage to arteries in her neck. The later indictment added allegations that prosecutors contend support attempted murder and armed robbery charges.

The investigation did not initially lead directly to Ruiz. Wilmington police first charged another man after the assault, but prosecutors later dismissed those charges. A court filing said there was insufficient evidence to continue that case and that available evidence supported the other man’s alibi. Police said detectives continued interviewing people, reviewing surveillance footage, analyzing evidence and following up on information from the public. Ruiz was arrested on June 24. The sequence underscores that the case against him developed after investigators reconsidered their initial theory and pursued additional evidence. More recently, court records reported by WECT show that investigators obtained warrants to search Ruiz’s iPhone and vehicle, although authorities have not publicly detailed what, if anything, those searches produced.

One of the most unusual elements of the case surfaced through an online fundraiser created to help Johnson’s family with medical and recovery costs. Port City Daily reported that a Spotfund page listed a $2,000 contribution under the name Isaac Ruiz, making that name the largest donor at the time. The contribution carried a message telling Johnson that she was becoming stronger each day and that “it will be over before you know it.” Wilmington police were asked whether investigators had confirmed that Ruiz himself made the contribution or wrote the message. A department representative declined to provide details because the criminal investigation remained active. The family also declined to discuss whether there had been other contact before Ruiz’s arrest. As a result, the identity of the person who actually submitted the donation and message has not been publicly verified by police.

While investigators built the criminal case, Johnson’s recovery became the central concern for her family. Her parents said she initially needed a ventilator and suffered severe impairment after the attack. She later began recovering movement in her arms, feet and hips. Her mother, Amanda Johnson, said in July that her daughter had been transferred for specialized spinal rehabilitation, while other family accounts described the importance of small gains in hand and finger movement because of Johnson’s work as an illustrator. Local Michigan reporting said she also sews her own clothes and had found the loss of normal movement especially difficult because so much of her life and planned career depended on using her hands.

By late August, Ricky and Amanda Johnson said their daughter was gaining more mobility at a spinal rehabilitation facility. They described her as determined to continue therapy despite the extent of her injuries. Earlier reports said she had been transported from North Carolina to the Midwest through a charitable medical flight for weeks of specialized rehabilitation. Her parents have repeatedly emphasized her goal of returning to art and eventually walking again. They also have described extensive support from people in both Michigan and Wilmington, including strangers who offered transportation and housing while the family remained near the hospital. Fundraisers were established to help with treatment, travel, rehabilitation and accessibility changes that could be needed when Johnson returns home.

The Marine Corps has said Ruiz’s civilian arrest is being handled in cooperation with local authorities. A 2nd Marine Division spokesperson previously confirmed his assignment at Camp Lejeune, while another Marine Corps representative told Port City Daily that administrative or legal decisions involving a service member facing civilian charges are made case by case. Public reporting has not established that Ruiz has been convicted of any offense connected with Johnson’s injuries. Conditions set when his bond was established included no contact with Johnson or her family if he were released, as well as electronic monitoring and house-arrest restrictions. He remained jailed after the later grand jury indictment.

The new counts significantly broaden what prosecutors allege happened inside the Wilmington home. Attempted first-degree murder requires the state to prove elements beyond those involved in the original strangulation and serious-injury charges, while the robbery count adds an allegation that property was taken or sought through the use of a dangerous weapon. Authorities have not publicly released a full narrative explaining the evidence behind each added charge. A grand jury indictment reflects a finding that probable cause exists to proceed with the accusations; it is not a determination of guilt. Ruiz will have the opportunity to challenge the state’s evidence as the case advances through Superior Court.

For Johnson, the legal process is unfolding separately from a rehabilitation effort that her family expects to be long and demanding. The most recent public reports said she had regained some movement and sensation but continued intensive spinal therapy. For Ruiz, WECT reported that an administrative court hearing was scheduled for Oct. 12 while he remained held on the $1 million secured bond. No trial date has been publicly announced in the reports reviewed for this story.

Author note: Last updated September 21, 2026.