Prominent Houston cardiologist murdered while riding bicycle to work

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The search is on for a man who police say shot and killed a well-known cardiologist from the Texas Medical Center at around 8:50 a.m. Friday.

Dr. Mark Hausknecht was a cardiologist for Houston Methodist and was riding his bicycle to work on Friday when police say another man, who was also riding a bicycle, shot the doctor at least twice. Police describe the shooting suspect as a Hispanic man in his 20s or 30s who was wearing dark clothing and riding a dark bicycle.

"Have to look out for one another," said Houston Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner. "It's a violent society."

And this time, violence spread to the heart of the Texas Medical Center where a cardiologist of almost four decades was shot to death while riding his bike to work.

"We get a text from our security offices that immediately put us on lockdown and to be diligent," said Elysse Orchard, who works in the Texas Medical Center at the BioScience Research Collaborative for Rice University. Orchard was inside when a shelter in place was ordered.

In plain sight, near the intersection of Main Street and Holcombe Boulevard, was the crime scene where detectives searched for clues near the yellow bike and doctor's coat on the ground.

"Isn't that the rule?," asked Orchard. "That most shootings or violence is somebody that you know?" But that's what so puzzling because the victim was loved by many. He was recently recognized as a Super Doctor, which is awarded based on peer recognition or professional achievement.

Hausknecht was well known in the medical community and even helped treat former President George H.W. Bush in February 2000 for an irregular heartbeat. Upon learning of Dr. Hausknecht's death, Bush released the following statement on Twitter through his spokesman Jim McGrath:

"And I'm just praying for this doctor's family and for the entire medical center community," said Assistant Chief Finner.

FOX 26 News reached out to Dr. Hausknecht's family. His wife says she went through medical school with her husband. At the time of his death, Dr. Hausknecht was working for Houston Methodist and the DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center.

"They save so many lives for us every day," said Assistant Chief Finner.

But sadly, this life is now gone and the search for answers and a suspect continues.

"There's a lot of cameras, so we're hoping that we can get some footage of this and bring this violent criminal into custody, where he needs to be right away," said Assistant Chief Finner.

If you have any information, call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division by phone at 713-308-3600.

Houston Methodist released the following statement on the death of Dr. Hausknecht on Friday: