Top Police Chief: 'George Bush’s Doctor Was Targeted For Assassination'
Houston's police chief Art Acevedo former President's doctor was targeted
© press
A top police chief said on Wednesday that the cardiologist who treated former President George H.W. Bush was 'targeted for assassination' after being shot while riding his bicycle to work last week.
Houston's police chief Art Acevedo said although investigators are not certain of the motive, they are confident it was a targeted assassination.
Cardiologist Dr. Mark Hausknecht was killed last Friday in a bicycle-to-bicycle drive-by shooting near Texas Medical Center in Houston.
Hausknecht was shot fatally in the torso by a bike-riding gunman while riding through a Houston medical complex.
Houston police released a surveillance image of the suspect, who appeared clean-shaven, wearing a khaki ball cap and tan shorts.
Dr. Mark Hausknecht, 65, was approached from behind when he was shot.
© press
Acevedo says there are several witnesses in the area, but declines to speculate why the cardiologist was likely targeted.
According to The DM: Houston police have now released a series of surveillance images and footage in their search for the unknown assailant as they continue to pursue several leads.
The images appear to show the shooter riding behind Hausknecht, who was dressed in his blue medical scrubs, just moments before the fatal encounter.
© press
The suspect appeared to be clean-shaven and wearing a blue polo shirt, khaki ball cap, and tan shorts.
He was also carrying an olive-green backpack that police have described as 'fully loaded'.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect tailing Hausknecht for several blocks before speeding up about a half-mile from the hospital.
© press
Police said the cyclist then passed the doctor before turning around and firing at him. Hausknecht was hit at least once and taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.
The area where the shooting took place is part of a 1,345-acre complex of hospitals and medical institutions, including the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and is busy with traffic and pedestrians during the day.
© press
Hausknecht had been in medical practice for almost 40 years and specialized in cardiovascular disease. He was part of the hospital's medical staff as well as its DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center.
He treated Bush in February 2000 for an irregular heartbeat after the ex-president complained about lightheadedness while visiting Florida.
© press
The cardiologist appeared with Bush at a news conference following his treatment.
Bush on Friday offered his condolences to Hausknecht's family.
'Mark was a fantastic cardiologist and a good man,' Bush said in a statement.
'I will always be grateful for his exceptional, compassionate care.'
Houston CrimeStoppers has offered a reward of $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and charges in the case.
