Left: Isaac Ruiz (New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Savannah Johnson engaged in physical therapy (Spotfund/Amanda Johnson).
In a shocking act of violence, a U.S. Marine reportedly attacked a woman in North Carolina, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down, after his romantic advances were spurned, according to her family.
“My niece called me, frantic and shouting, ‘Savannah, Savannah, unconscious,'” recounted Amanda Johnson, mother of Savannah Johnson, during an emotional interview with NBC affiliate WECT.
Isaac Ruiz, serving with the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, faces serious charges including assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily harm, and first-degree burglary. These charges stem from the brutal June 14 encounter in Wilmington.
The family of Savannah Johnson, 22, indicates that Ruiz’s violent outburst was the result of unrequited affection following a double date. Despite Ruiz’s apparent interest, Savannah did not reciprocate his feelings—a factor her family says spurred the alleged assault, as reported by Port City Daily.
“Obviously, he was stewing over that,” Savannah’s father, Ricky Johnson, told the local newspaper. “It’s quite shocking that it would go to this length just because she wasn’t interested in him.”
Police say Ruiz, 26, broke into the home where Savannah Johnson, who is from Michigan, was staying while on vacation. Ruiz allegedly pummeled and strangled Savannah Johnson before fleeing.
“The defendant unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did assault Savannah Johnson and inflict physical injury, C5-C6 fracture with ligament injury, T2-T6 compression fracture, vertebral artery dissection, and narrowing of the internal corroded artery by strangulation and assaulting the victim,” an arrest warrant says.
The 2nd Marine Division confirmed to WECT that Ruiz, a mortarman assigned to the 1st Battalion, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged attack. U.S. officials say the division has been fully cooperating with the investigation.
According to Port City Daily, the Johnson family launched a Spotfund online fundraiser following the alleged assault to help with Savannah’s recovery costs, and Ruiz was listed as the top donor with a contribution of $2,000.
A message included with the donation says, “Each day that passes you don’t realize how much stronger you are becoming. It will be over before you know it.”
Police declined to comment when asked if they were aware of the post.
According to the Johnson family, Savannah is currently paralyzed from the neck down and is undergoing physical therapy to try to walk again one day.
“She’s giving it her all,” Amanda Johnson told WECT.
The post Man strangled and paralyzed woman who rejected him then became the top donor on her family’s online recovery fundraiser, posted cryptic message: Report first appeared on Law & Crime.