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Houston cardiologist who once treated President George H.W. Bush was likely targeted when he was shot and killed while cycling to work

Mark Hausknecht and George HW Bush

  • Dr. Mark Hausknecht was shot and killed while cycling to work at Houston's Texas Medical Center on July 20. 
  • Police Chief Art Acevedo said there is a "high probability" that Hausknecht was targeted in the shooting. 
  • Investigators are still searching for a suspect and a motive behind the killing. 

A cardiologist who once treated former President George H.W. Bush was likely targeted when he was fatally shot while cycling to work last week, Houston Police say.

Mark Hausknecht shooting suspectPolice Chief Art Acevedo said there is a "high probability" that Dr. Mark Hausknecht was targeted, but investigators are still searching for a motive. 

Hausknecht was killed while riding his bike to work at Houston's Texas Medical Center on July 20.

The suspect, who is still on the run, was also on a bike and cycled past Hausknecht before turning around to open fire, police told the Associated Press

The 65-year-old cardiologist was shot three times, including hits to his head and torso, autopsy results revealed this week. 

Acevedo called the case "perplexing" during a news conference and said investigators are pursuing leads and tips.

The FBI's Houston bureau is helping police with the investigation, according to CNN

"We're confident and we're hopeful that with the help of the community ... we're going to end up identifying this individual and we'll be able to get justice for the family and most importantly justice for this community," Acevedo said in a press conference on Wednesday. 

Acevedo declined to say why police believe Hausknecht was targeted in the shooting. 

Police released a composite sketch of the suspected gunman, showing a man wearing glasses and a cap. Investigators say the suspect was also wearing an olive-green backpack. 

Surveillance footage from the incident shows the man wearing a khaki or white hat, khaki shorts and a blue, short-sleeve polo shirt. 

Hausknecht lived less than two miles from his office at Houston Methodist Hospital and rode his bicycle to work every morning. 

The shooting took place in broad daylight in the midst of Texas Medical Center's complex of hospitals and medical institutions when there were many witnesses heading to work and appointments in the area. 

It is not yet known where the shooter fled to, how many people witnessed the shooting, or what type of gun was used, the Houston Chronicle reported

The doctor's wife, Dr. Georgia Hsieh, released a statement following her husband's death urging for "sensible gun laws."

Hausknecht, who practiced medicine in Houston for more than three decades, once treated former President H.W. Bush in 2000 for an irregular heartbeat. At the time, Bush had complained of lightheadedness on a trip to Florida. 

Following Hausknecht's death, Bush released a statement saying he would "always be grateful for his exceptional, compassionate care."

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