Shivangi Sinha
The terror unleashed by the Son of Sam gripped New York City with fear, as random shootings left residents anxious and on edge. One such horrifying incident involved Sal Lupo in June 1977, who was sitting in a car outside a discotheque in Bayside, Queens, late at night with his girlfriend, Judy Placido. Suddenly, an unknown man approached and opened fire, injuring them both. Lupo, in shock and pain, cried out for help as the gunman vanished. Netflix’s ‘Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes’ revisits these events, chronicling David Berkowitz’s eventual capture and the stories of his victims and survivors, including Lupo’s harrowing experience.
Sal Lupo and His Girlfriend Were Shot Outside a Discotheque in Queens
Salvatore “Sal” Lupo was raised in Maspeth, Queens, as one of seven siblings. Though his family wasn’t financially well-off, his childhood was relatively stable, and he had big aspirations for his future. By June 1977, Lupo had gained experience working as a mechanic’s assistant. He had previously been employed at a service station in Forest Hills, which was run by one of his brothers, but had to leave the job due to a back injury. At the time, he was in a relationship with Judy Placido, a recent high school graduate. Judy brought joy to the 20-year-old’s life and he felt content with what he had built so far.
By the summer of 1977, the fear surrounding the Son of Sam killings had deeply unsettled the New York City community. The murders had begun nearly a year earlier, and with no suspect apprehended, tension ran high. Despite the growing sense of unease, Lupo was determined not to let fear dictate his life. On the night of June 26, he made plans to meet his girlfriend, Judy, and two of her friends at the Elephas discotheque in Bayside, Queens. The group enjoyed a lively night out together, and eventually, the two friends departed. Around 3 am, Lupo and Placido sat in a car parked just half a block away from the club. The vehicle belonged to one of disco workers, and it was meant to be a quiet moment to wind down from the evening.
They had been sitting in the car for about ten minutes when, at around 3:20 am, Lupo noticed a shadowy figure approach and peer inside. Without warning, the person opened fire. Judy was struck in the right temple, right shoulder, and the back of her neck. Lupo was hit in the right forearm, but fortunately did not suffer serious injuries. Later, he told the police that he and Judy had been discussing the Son of Sam case just moments before the shooting. He admitted he hadn’t seen the attacker clearly and couldn’t provide a detailed description. His statement gave investigators little to go on.
Sal Lupo Prefers to Stay Away from the Limelight
Since the terrifying night of the Son of Sam shooting, Sal Lupo has maintained a low profile and largely stayed out of the public eye. Unlike some other survivors who later spoke out publicly or participated in documentaries, Lupo chose privacy and did not seek media attention. Though his story was featured in various accounts of the case, like ‘The Mark of a Killer,’ and ‘Very Scary People,’ Lupo himself has rarely given interviews or made public statements. He seemed to prefer moving forward quietly with his life, away from the spotlight and the memories of that night.
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