In a chilling account, Vicki Webb, the sole known survivor of the I-70 killer, details her terrifying encounter with the serial killer in her Houston gift shop in 1994. The incident, which is featured in ID’s true-crime docuseries "People Magazine Investigates," left Webb with life-altering injuries but an unwavering spirit.
Webb describes the unassuming killer as a small, gaunt man with weathered skin, resembling a jockey. He initially inquired about the store's business and traffic, leading Webb to believe he was a retail scout. However, he returned shortly after, claiming to be waiting for his niece. When Webb's back was turned, she heard a loud bang and fell to the floor, shot in the back of her neck.
Playing dead, a tactic she'd learned from old movies, Webb watched as the man robbed the cash register. He then discovered she was alive, dragged her, and pressed his gun to her forehead. The gun clicked. He laughed, a sound Webb describes as “vicious, maniacal, evil.” Startled by outside noises, he fled.
Ten agonizing minutes later, customers found Webb and called for help. Despite the severity of her injury and doctors' warnings, Webb refused surgery that might have left her on a respirator. She was determined to recover, and after months of arduous therapy, she learned to walk again.
Webb later learned she was likely a survivor of the I-70 killer, linked to six murders across the Midwest and possibly two in Texas. The killer targeted female store clerks with long brown hair in small businesses located along Interstate 70. All victims were shot with an Erma Werke Model ET22 pistol.
Though the case remains unsolved, a task force was established in 2021 to re-examine the evidence. Webb remains hopeful for answers and justice for the other victims' families. Despite the lasting physical and emotional impact of the attack, Webb emphasizes her resilience, stating, "This didn't define me. I’m still the same person."
