HPD chief: 'High probability' doctor shot, killed on way to work was targeted
HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo says there is a "high probability" a doctor shot to death while riding his bike to work was targeted.
"Chief @ArtAcevedo states 'There is a high probability the doctor was targeted,"' according to an update shared on the Houston Police Department's Twitter account.
Houston Methodist cardiologist Dr. Mark Hausknecht was shot three times on Friday while riding his bike to work. Police say an unknown man also riding a bike is a suspect in the shooting.
Surveillance video from a Metro Lift bus shows the the 65-year-old doctor riding a yellow bike to work and the suspect trailing closely behind him.
The bus was traveling on Main Street near West Holcombe Street, in the opposite direction of Dr. Hausknecht and the suspected gunman, shortly after 8:45 a.m. Friday.
A block away, just moments later, the shooter shoots and kills Dr. Hausknect, then cycles away west on Southgate Blvd. towards Travis Street.
Houston police also released a clearer image of the suspect with this surveillance photo.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, around 30 years old. He was last seen on Friday wearing a blue, short-sleeved polo shirt, a khaki ball cap, khaki shorts, and carrying a large, fully-loaded olive green backpack.
Authorities are now offering up to a $5,000 reward for any information that could lead to an arrest of the suspect. Anyone who knows anything about this man should call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.