In April 1976, Wendy Savino sat in her car in New York City and was approached by a young man with a friendly and smiling face. She locked her doors for safety but didn’t feel threatened by his presence. Suddenly, without warning, the man shot her, causing severe injuries. Savino was later confirmed as the first victim of the infamous “Son of Sam” serial killer, David Berkowitz, who terrorized New York City from 1976 to 1977. Despite being shot five times and losing her right eye, Savino survived the attack.
David Berkowitz, also known as the “.44-caliber killer,” was arrested in August 1977 and sentenced to 25 years to life after pleading guilty to six murders and injuring seven others. During his reign of terror, he targeted random victims and shot them with a .44-caliber handgun. Despite the traumatic experience, Savino was able to survive the attack by pretending to be dead until Berkowitz left the scene. She then sought help at a nearby restaurant and spent two months in intensive care.
Recently, the NYPD confirmed Savino as the first victim of the “Son of Sam” killer, thanks to the efforts of Manny Grossman, who obtained police records related to Berkowitz’s cases. Savino credits Grossman for uncovering the connection between her attack and the notorious serial killer. Berkowitz is currently serving his sentence at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New York and has been denied parole repeatedly. Savino expressed her anger towards Berkowitz for ruining her life and taking away her passion for performing in theater as a contortionist and trapeze artist.
Despite the trauma and challenges she faced, Savino emphasized the importance of staying strong and positive in the face of adversity. She believes that holding onto hope and maintaining a positive attitude are crucial, especially after experiencing a traumatic event like hers. Savino’s resilience and determination to overcome her injuries and emotional scars serve as a reminder that strength and positivity are essential in healing and moving forward. Despite the pain and suffering caused by Berkowitz’s senseless acts of violence, Savino continues to embody courage and resilience in her journey towards recovery and justice.
