Shivangi Sinha
In 1976, Wendy Savino was having dinner with her husband in the Bronx area of New York. As she stepped outside and got into her car, a young man approached and suddenly opened fire on her. Although she assisted the police by helping create a sketch of the suspect, her case initially went cold with no promising leads. It wasn’t until David Berkowitz was arrested in August 1977 that Wendy recognized him as the man who had attacked her. In Netflix’s ‘Conversations With a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes,’ Wendy recounted the event and reflected on whether she ever truly received justice.
Wendy Savino Remembered Her Attacker Smiling as He Shot Her
Brenda “Wendy” Savino was living a fulfilling and comfortable life in Pelham Manor, Westchester County, New York, with her husband, Joseph Savino. The couple had two sons, and Wendy felt content with the life they had built together. Joseph’s position as a political leader in the Bronx afforded the family a certain level of prestige and financial stability. On April 9, 1976, Joseph invited Wendy out for dinner, and the two went to their favorite Nina’s Restaurant in the Wakefield neighborhood. Around 11 pm, they left the restaurant. Since they had arrived in separate cars, Joseph headed to his vehicle while Wendy got into hers.
Wendy recalled that just as she was preparing to leave, a young man suddenly approached her car. Before she could react, she felt a sharp, explosive pain in her chest, and she realized she had been shot. The attacker stood by her window, smiling at her as he fired. When she instinctively raised her hands, he shot again, the bullet tearing through her hand. A third shot struck her shoulder, followed by two more in her back. When she sensed that he had finally fled, she gathered all her strength to crawl out of the car. Despite her injuries, she managed to get the attention of a police officer nearby and was quickly rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Wendy physically recovered from her injuries, but the psychological trauma lingered. She filed a report with the police and assisted in creating a sketch of the shooter. However, at the time, suspicion oddly fell on her husband, and there were even rumors suggesting a possible mafia connection, though none of those leads panned out. It wasn’t until August 1977, when Wendy saw news coverage of David Berkowitz’s arrest, that she recognized him as the man who had attacked her. She approached the police with her identification, but it would take considerable time before any real progress was made in her case.
Wendy Savino Was Recognized as the First Survivor of David Berkowitz
Years later, independent researcher Manny Grossman, who is known for his work on the Son of Sam case, reached out to Wendy Savino. When she showed him the sketch from her 1976 shooting, he was struck by the strong resemblance to David Berkowitz. Grossman contacted the NYPD, prompting them to reopen the case and compile a new case file in May 2024. Investigators even interviewed Berkowitz, who denied any involvement in Wendy’s shooting. A key complication was the weapon, as she had been shot with a .32 caliber pistol, while the Son of Sam attacks were carried out using a .44 caliber revolver. Despite this, in June 2024, after comparing the attack’s method and the victim’s profile, authorities officially recorded the case as the earliest known attack by the Son of Sam. However, due to the statute of limitations, Berkowitz could not be charged for the crime.
Wendy Savino is Leading an Active and Meaningful Life Today
Wendy Savino is now settled in the quiet community of Congers, New York, where she remains actively engaged in local causes and philanthropic initiatives. She has participated in community fundraisers, including one for the Wigs for Heroes organization, which supports individuals undergoing medical treatment. She also lent her voice to the movement advocating for the return of the Cuomo Bridge’s original name, the Tappan Zee. Family continues to be at the center of her life. Her two sons, Richard and Raphael Savino, have each carved out their own paths, and she embraces her role as a proud and loving grandmother. Her husband is a pillar of support in her life. He went on to have a distinguished career, served as chairman of the Bronx Republican Party, and established himself as a successful attorney.
Wendy’s life has been rich and varied, from performing in theater as a young girl to attending elegant galas and political dinners alongside her husband, and celebrating milestones like her children’s weddings. In July 2025, she had a frightening experience when she was accosted by a man named Frank DeGennaro, who claimed to be David Berkowitz’s friend. He came up to her at the Valley Cottage Library in Rockland County, New York, and kept telling her that the man who had attacked her was not David. She reported the encounter, but no charges were filed. Perhaps most importantly, having her long-dismissed case finally acknowledged as the first known Son of Sam attack brought her a measure of closure. The recognition, although delayed, affirmed her truth and gave her peace.
Read More: Betty Falco: What Happened to Son of Sam’s Mom?
