Crime & Safety

Melius: 'I Thank God for Everything I Got'

The owner of Huntington's Oheka Castle who was shot in February released a 7-minute video on his experience without speaking about his assailant.

Gary Melius, the owner of Huntington’s Oheka Castle who was shot in February, released a nearly seven-minute video on Monday. In the video, he thanked God, his family and friends for their support but did not speak about his assailant.

“I have a lot to say, but I’m not going to say much,” he said, at the beginning of the video.

Instead, he focused on the support he’s received ever since he was shot on Feb. 24.

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“My family has been absolutely super supportive in taking care of every minute for me,” he said. 

See the full video here. 

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A masked gunman shot Melius, 69, as he entered his Mercedes-Benz outside the historic hotel and catering venue.  He was then transported by family to a nearby hospital and transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, and released on March 4.

Sitting before a video camera wearing a lavender polo with his eye and back of his head bandaged, Melius wants his friends and family to know that “everything is ok.”

“I got a break,” he said. “God looked out for me.”

He noted that he was grateful for the care he received from the medical staff, nurses, family and friends.

“I thank God for everything that I got,” he said.

Melius, who is well-connected politically and has donated large sums to both parties, purchased the castle as a dilapidated property in 1984 for $1.5 million. 

There have been no arrests in the shooting, though an investigator told the New York Post that it did not “appear to be an accidental shooting.” 


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