Assassination attempt: Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius shot in face
Developer and political power broker Gary Melius, 69, was was shot in the face Monday (Feb. 24) in an apparent assassination attempt at his Oheka Castle on Long Island, according to multiple reports.
The New York Post reported that a masked man fired a bullet at Melius just as he was getting into his Mercedes-Benz at around 12:30 p.m. in the valet area of the estate. The gunman approached the driver's side, where Melius was sitting, and fired the bullet through the glass, according to the New York Times. The Post said the gunman sped off in a Jeep Cherokee.
The Post also quoted one of Melius' friends as saying that the trajectory of the bullet was redirected when it passed through the glass, which prevented a "clean head shot."
The New York Times reported Melius managed to stumble back into his home, where he was found by his daughter, Kelly. He was rushed to hospital, where he is in stable condition. An eye surgeon was called to treat the wound.
The Post reported that former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato visited the developer the hospital and said Melius had no idea why he had been targeted.
"He didn't understand why the shooting happened. He said, 'Why?' He couldn't believe it," D'Amato said. "It was an assassination attempt, not a robbery."
"It does not appear to be an accidental shooting at this time," said Detective Sgt. John O'Sullivan of Suffolk's Second Squad Detectives. "As best we can determine, he was entering his vehicle [when he was shot]."
Police are investigating the incident, with the Suffolk canine unit, aviation unit and precinct patrol searched the 443-acre grounds for evidence. However, authorities were not aware of any recent threats against Melius or Oheka Castle.
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The New York Post reported that a masked man fired a bullet at Melius just as he was getting into his Mercedes-Benz at around 12:30 p.m. in the valet area of the estate. The gunman approached the driver's side, where Melius was sitting, and fired the bullet through the glass, according to the New York Times. The Post said the gunman sped off in a Jeep Cherokee.
The Post also quoted one of Melius' friends as saying that the trajectory of the bullet was redirected when it passed through the glass, which prevented a "clean head shot."
The New York Times reported Melius managed to stumble back into his home, where he was found by his daughter, Kelly. He was rushed to hospital, where he is in stable condition. An eye surgeon was called to treat the wound.
The Post reported that former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato visited the developer the hospital and said Melius had no idea why he had been targeted.
"He didn't understand why the shooting happened. He said, 'Why?' He couldn't believe it," D'Amato said. "It was an assassination attempt, not a robbery."
"It does not appear to be an accidental shooting at this time," said Detective Sgt. John O'Sullivan of Suffolk's Second Squad Detectives. "As best we can determine, he was entering his vehicle [when he was shot]."
Police are investigating the incident, with the Suffolk canine unit, aviation unit and precinct patrol searched the 443-acre grounds for evidence. However, authorities were not aware of any recent threats against Melius or Oheka Castle.
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Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb