HUNTINGTON, N.Y. - The politically connected owner of a storied mansion-turned-wedding palace was shot in the head by a masked assailant Monday afternoon while getting into his car in the parking lot of his Long Island venue, Suffolk County police said.
Gary Melius was in surgery at a local hospital and had been conscious and alert before going in, said Suffolk County Detective Sgt. John O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan said a call about shots fired came in about 12:30 p.m., and when officers arrived at the scene, they learned Melius had been taken to the hospital by a relative. O’Sullivan said that it does not appear to be an accidental shooting.
Front Section, Pages 4 on 02/25/2014