Shivangi Sinha
In July 1977, Robert Violante was on a first date with Stacy Moskowitz, spending time together near Bath Beach, New York City. Although the fear of the Son of Sam killings loomed over the city, the two tried to enjoy their evening. This is when they were shot at while in their car, and Robert was severely injured. He later learned in the hospital that he had lost vision in one eye and was at risk of losing sight in the other. In Netflix’s ‘Conversations With a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes,’ he opened up about the traumatic experience and its lasting impact.
Robert Violante Was on a First Date When He Was Attacked by the Son of Sam Killer
1977 had started off as a promising year for Robert Violante. In July, he landed a modeling contract with the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, which gave a major boost to his confidence and career aspirations. At just 20 years old, his height and gentle features made him optimistic about his future in the industry. The day after receiving the exciting news, he attended a Gong Show-themed event at Beefsteak Charlie’s with friends. The venue was packed, and it was there that he met Stacy Moskowitz. Captivated by her beauty and kind nature, Robert didn’t hesitate to ask her out on a date.
On July 31, 1977, Robert and Stacy went out to see the film ‘New York, New York.’ Afterward, they headed to Shore Parkway near the water in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, to enjoy the night. The two had fun together, playing on swings and spending quality time. Robert would later recall that his mother had warned him about the Son of Sam shootings, but he reassured her that there hadn’t been any reported attacks in that neighborhood, and that Stacy’s blonde hair didn’t match the killer’s known targets. While they were at the park, Stacy noticed a dark figure lurking nearby and began to feel uneasy. She turned to Robert and asked if they could leave.
Both Robert and Stacy were sitting in his car when he suggested they wait another five minutes before leaving. She didn’t say much, but just moments later, a large man approached the vehicle and fired through the window. A bullet struck Robert in the head, and he later said he couldn’t see anything afterward. He instinctively held down the car horn until it stopped working, then lost consciousness. They were both rushed to the hospital, where Stacy sadly passed away 18 hours later. Robert lost his left eye and suffered a severe injury to his right one, with doctors warning he could lose vision in that eye too. Despite his condition, his only concern was Stacy. It wasn’t until weeks later, when he was recovering slightly, that his father gently broke the news to him that Stacy had died.
Robert Violante is Retired from the US Postal Service Today
For many years after the shooting, Robert Violante continued to live quietly in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn with his parents. His life changed drastically after that night in 1977, but he remained determined to recover. He went through a long and difficult period of rehabilitation, and remarkably, he regained the vision in his right eye. Eventually, he found steady work as a mailer for the US Postal Service, a position he held until his retirement in 2016. In a 2017 interview, Robert revealed that he had never married and often found himself thinking about Stacy Moskowitz. He spoke about the what-ifs and the life that could have been. Stacy’s bravery in her final moments left a lasting impact on him, and he often highlighted that the courage she showed was something extraordinary.
When David Berkowitz was convicted, Robert said he felt a sense of closure and justice. However, he has also expressed lingering doubts and believes it’s possible Berkowitz did not act entirely alone. Robert has made it clear that he doesn’t dwell on why he was targeted. To him, wondering “why me?” implies it would have been acceptable if someone else had been harmed, which he finds morally wrong. He believes it’s important to share his story to remind people that the victims are the ones who deserve to be remembered. Since retiring, Robert has kept a low profile and is believed to still reside in New York. He remains a symbol of resilience and courage and has never lost hope in life.
Read More: Sal Lupo: What Happened to the Son of Sam Survivor?
