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Fund established for Atlatic Mine native, attacked in NC
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ADAMS TOWNSHIP - A 22 year-old Atlantic Mine woman, Savannah Johnson, was brutally attacked on the morning of Monday, June 15, 2026, while staying staying with her mother's sister at a home in Wilmington, North Carolina. According to her family, she suffered fractures in her neck and back, vertebral arteryc dissection, and a narrowing of her carotid artery. The famiily said Johnson was paralyzed as a result of her injuries requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Amanda Johnson, Savannah's mother, said her daughter had graduated from Northern Michigan University this spring with a fine arts degree and a psychology minor.
Her mother said that in late May, Savannah went a month-long trip to look for a job in her new career as an artist in North Carolina. "We got her a plane ticket to stay with my sister-in-law in Wilmington, where she was going to look for a job with her degree," the mother said.
Johnson said Savannah left during the last week of May, intending to remain there for a month. After that time, she returned home to collect her belongings, before returning to Wilmington, as she had found a job.
Not long after her return to Wilmington, on the morning of June 15, Savannah was in bed according to her mother. "This man broke into the house in the morning and he attacked her," Johnson said.
A July 26 article published in the Port City News, reported that 26-year-old Isaac Mateo Ruiz, an active duty Marine at Camp Lejeune, was charged with assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and first-degree burglary after attacking 22-year-old Savannah Johnson.
An arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday June 24, Ruiz was detained the following day. His first court appearance was Thursday, where bond was set at $1 million.
Savannah was taken to Novant Medical Center in North Carolina, where she underwent a 5-hour surgery. The surgery required placing artificial discs between three vertebrae in her neck, repair a severed artery, and repair spinal cord injuries.
The surgery was successful, Johnson said, but cautioned she may require additional surgery. She did not require an additional operation, however.
Johnson said initially, Savannah was completely paralyzed.
"She has progressed, and now she can move her arms," she said. "Initially she was on a ventilator, and now she is on a trach vent (a tracheostomy tube connected to a mechanical ventilator (a breathing machine), so that's a really good thing, but she also has a tube for feeding."
Last Tuesday, Savannah was transported on an Angel flight to the Shirley Ryan Spinal Cord Rehabilitation facility in Chicago, Johnson said. There she is undergoing extensive work to regain use of her limbs.
A Spotfund fundraiser has been started by Johnson's family and friends, The fundraiser aims to help cover medical, travel, and legal costs the family now faces. The goal of the fundraiser is $100,000 with $33,700 having been raised.
"The reason we are seeking funds," said Johnson, "is we have to build accommodations for Savannah downstairs, because she doesn't have a bedroom and we have to build a handicapped accessable bedroom and bathroom for her."
Johnson and her husband relied on the Family Medical Leave Act to take time off work. While it protects their jobs.
"We had to pay for our insurance, but we don't have any income," she said, adding travel expenses have added to financial stress.
Anyone wishing to donate can follow the URL https://www.spotfund.com/story/ec76c1a4-c260-4e61-aa50-95787a7e34de