Newsday reporter discusses assassination attempt of Oheka Castle owner 4 years later. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Melius said he has recovered from his injuries. ", Oheka Castle is one of Long Island's most exclusive hotels, located in Huntington, N.Y. It took another two months for the rails to be refinished to restore the grand staircase to its former glory. The famous Gatsby mansion has also hosted 1920s-style parties, where the wealthy once again sip champagne while dressed in period-garb. Tennis courts, stables, orchards, a landing strip, and a large private greenhouse were also on the property. Police said Melius had made it out of surgery by Monday evening and was alert and in stable condition. On February 24, 2014, Melius survived a gunshot to the head by a masked gunman in the parking lot of the castle. Sources told Newsday the suspect pressed a gun against Melius' closed window, then fired a round. Ive had my differences with Gary politically but this is really just a tremendously awful act I hope that he does well and pulls through this. SYNPSH Company Profile | CROIX, HAUTS DE FRANCE, France | Competitors They just shot him. John O'Sullivan said that it does not appear to be an accidental shooting, but that neither the shooter nor a motive has been identified. Otto Kahn bought the land for $1 million $158 million in today's currency. This is the library at Oheka Castle which includes a secret passageway behind one of the bookshelves. Investigators say the gunman wore a black mask and ambushed 69-year old Gary Melius while he was getting into his car in the parking lot of the mansion's lavish grounds at about 12:30 p.m. Police say Melius was fortunate to survive the shooting, with the bullet entering his head just above his right eyebrow, travelling under the skin, outside the skull, and entering near his right ear. Oheka Castle Owner Says Shooting That Wounded Him Remains Mystery One Tuesday, Melius gave a statement to Eyewitness News saying; "I look forward to coming home. In 1948, Eastern Military Academy purchased the castle and 23 acres (9.3ha) of its property, bulldozed the gardens and subdivided the rooms. Then, to build his dream home, Kahn would spend a total of $11 million roughly $158 million in today's currency. (Paul Prince) Spota exited about an hour after his 11 a.m. arrival to see Melius, a poker buddy. Melius bought Oheka Castle in 1984 and soon began restoring it. Police believe the Jeep carried the masked, hooded shooter who climbed out of the car and walked straight to Melius. "Are you any closer today, Gary, to knowing who did this to you?" Unfortunately, the castle fell into disarray after Kahn's death in 1934, changing owners several times before finally standing vacant for over a decade. The financier had created the 109,000-square-foot manor in 1919. Fifty years after Kahn's death, in 1984, current owner Gary Melius purchased Oheka Castle and began the arduous process of restoring the castle to its former glory. August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM The castle is now a hotel with 32 guest rooms and suites. Melius was hospitalized for more than week, Police have had little to go on in the case, a Jeep Cherokee spotted driving away from the scene. Gary Melius exited a side door of his palatial mansion estate and entered his Mercedes-Benz parked in its back courtyard. But no one has been able to answer who shot Gary Melius. Melius political dealings have also resulted in some controversy. Mevorach asked. Gary Melius has hosted several celebrity events at his castle, including Debbie Gibson's 2nd annual Gibson Girl Foundation Benefit on May 21, 2012. Oheka Castle - Wikipedia In 1984, Oheka was purchased by Gary Melius, a Long Island developer. First published on February 24, 2015 / 7:08 PM. "It was a cowardly act, whoever hired these guys," he said. He also holds an M.A. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka Castle. All Rights Reserved. Police are still looking for the shooter. Police found two full rounds at the scene, Newsday said. "One of the problems in our society is sometimes we try to look for a reason in the victim for the horrible criminal acts of the perpetrators who have no justification and whatever sick motive they may have is not a reflection of the victim," Rosenberg said. But Dale resigned immediately after her ruling. Newsday will include its entire Melius investigation in Sunday's print edition. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot Monday by a masked gunman, police said. CBS on Twitter: "RT @WolfEnt: We spent dusk til dawn filming at Oheka "We've had our differences in the political realm," he said. So when he began work on his next palatial dream home, he had his architects design a fire-proof home build entirely of steel and concrete. Melius may be the proprietor of one of Long Islands glitziest estates from the Gold Coast era, but in dress and demeanor he always strikes a very down-to-Earth pose as befits his roots as a kid from Queens. Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle in Huntington, N.Y., was shot Monday morning by a masked gunman. Originally built for financier Otto Kahn in 1921, the 126-room Oheka is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Suffolk County Police officers surround the car belonging to Gary Melius, the owner of Oheka Castle, who brought to Syosset Hospital with a gunshot wound on Monday. Once Melius was in stable condition, a whos-who of local politics have been visiting him in the hospital in a show of supportDAmato, of course, plus former Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, among others. A lone masked shooter blasted through the car window and struck the 69-year-old in the head before speeding away, reportedly in a Jeep Cherokee. The shooter fled and has not been captured. Politicians from both parties have sent well-wishes to the wounded power broker, including those whove clashed with him, like Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs. Inside Oheka Castle, The Real-Life 'Gatsby' Mansion - All That's An outdoor lounge at Oheka Castle which is part of the hotel's restaurant and bar. It has been two years since Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius was shot in the head and the FBI now says it is getting involved. Melius undertook the largest private residential renovation project in the United States to restore the house, which was in a state of almost total disrepair, and recreate the gardens from the original Olmsted plans. Meet Donald 'Pee Wee' Gaskins, The Cannibal Serial Killer Who Allegedly Murdered 90 People. He once owed close to $6m in debts - including $100,000 to Donald Trump's Taj . Otto Hermann Kahn was a German Jewish immigrant who made his name as a financier and businessman after coming to the U.S. in 1893. After the shooting, Rosenberg says, he managed to stagger back to the castle and call for help. Melius, who poured $23,000 into Hardwick's campaign coffers, was accused of backing the candidate as a favor to his Republican pal, County Executive Ed Mangano, in an effort to siphon votes from the Democratic candidate, Tom Suozzi. The shooting was captured on surveillance video, which has not been released. The paper reports records show that Thomas Melius was released from a months-long jail stint just five days before his father was shot. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. He had also faced three criminal convictions as a younger man, according to the paper. First published on August 29, 2014 / 11:47 AM. Link to logo, AAA Four Diamond Award Logo, Link to logo, Historic Hotels Worldwide Logo. Oheka Castle - World History Encyclopedia My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. bucketlistli/TwitterOheka Castle's construction began in 1917 and was completed two years later. Everyone from highly-esteemed diplomats to famous film stars attended the lavish events. He was rushed by a family member to nearby Syosset Hospital and was said to be alert and conscious after being transferred to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. A look at the swimming pool at Oheka Castle. The grounds of Oheka Castle include a beautiful formal garden with a reflective pool amongst its trimmed bushes. / CBS/AP. Former President Bill Clinton officiated the nuptials. Police were not aware of any prior threats on Melius' life, O'Sullivan said. For years, Oheka Castle was the site of the hottest parties on the East Coast. Owner Shot in Head at Oheka Castle, Prominent Wedding Venue on Long Gary Melius | New York Post "Some would ask, why not have that reward out there two weeks after or a month after?" Visitors can book a tour of the property which are available daily. It also offers a bar, restaurant, and mansion tours of the estate and gardens. Orson Welles used its exterior to shoot some scenes there in 1940 for his American classic Citizen Kane. Oheka Castle hosted its first wedding after reopening on May 7, 1987. Inside the "house" were 127 rooms, a grand library housing a secret passageway behind one of the bookcases, and 39 working fireplaces. Melius remains concerned for his welfare and that of his family, telling investigators he has no idea who is behind the hit. from the school with a concentration in business and economics. Throughout the years Melius has been impartial in his campaign contributions, doling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to politicians without party preference, according to state finance records. If this near death experience has done anything, is a reminder to live each day, celebrate life and embrace your family.". Melius boasts of friendships with King and Democratic Rep. Steve Israel. "They wanted to help some way and felt, you know, really helpless," Melius said. He reportedly renegotiated its $27.9-million mortgage last August and had defaulted on the loan in 2012. "I cannot believe this; you are not safe anywhere," said Natasha Silne, a newlywed who was supposed to check into the hotel with her husband for their honeymoon. (Veronique Louis for New York Daily News). A shooter tried to gun down Gary Melius, the powerful owner of Oheka Castlethe palatial hotel, restaurant, catering hall and frequent film set in Huntingtonbut Melius survived a gunshot wound to the head in broad daylight as he got into his car at the estate on Feb. 24. Melius' daughters called 911 but ended up taking him to the hospital themselves, MacKay said. Gary Melius, owner of Oheka Castle in Long Island, was shot on Monday. "He said he had enough to put people in federal prison.". . HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The victim of an assassination attempt on Long Island spoke out Tuesday, a year after he was shot in front of the historic mansion he owns. "I am disappointed and surprised, and I disagree vehemently," he fumed then. Still, Oheka Castle remains an impressive sight. "I feel good we're going to catch him, and hopefully, he'll get what's coming to him," Melius said. They have reviewed the castles video surveillance footage, but it reportedly did not catch the face of the would-be killer. MacKidNPascack/TwitterThe castle was allegedly the inspiration behind the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby. Feb. 24, 2014. Restorations of Oheka Castle have cost $37 million over the last 20 years. Otto Kahn bought 443 acres of land in Cold Spring Harbor to build his family a lavish summer home in 1914. I think hes going to make it! he told the Press when he was reached. Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius (right) with his son, Thomas. Melius was hospitalized for more than week. In 1905, his country home burned to the ground in a devastating fire. He plays cards with Republican former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato. It has been used to film popular shows like. A look at the beautiful reflective pools inside the formal garden. The castle's parties were so famous that they allegedly inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, which features opulent ftes at a lavish estate.