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Police Release Surveillance Images Of Vehicle In Oheka Castle Shooting

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County Police have released surveillance images of a vehicle they said was used by the gunman in the February shooting of Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius.

The 69-year-old developer and major political donor was getting into his Mercedes Benz in the Huntington estate's parking lot when a masked gunman shot him once in the head on Feb. 24.

Melius was hospitalized for more than a week.

Suspect's Vehicle In Oheka Castle Shooting
Suspect's Vehicle In Oheka Castle Shooting (credit: Suffolk County Police)

Surveillance video showed a black sedan followed by a Jeep Cherokee pulling into a valet area outside of the estate, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported in February. A masked gunman is seen exiting the Jeep and firing the first shot into the driver's side window of the Mercedes, striking Melius before the weapon appears to malfunction, Xirinachs reported.

Police said at least three shots were fired before the shooter fled the scene in the older model, light-colored four-door Jeep Grand Cherokee. Police released photographs of the vehicle for the first time Thursday.

Sources told Newsday the second vehicle, which also fled the scene, apparently served as the lookout.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

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