Surveillance images show George H.W. Bush’s doctor cycling in front of gunman who shot him dead

New surveillance images have been released of George H W Bush’s cardiologist cycling in front of the gunman who shot him dead moments later while he was riding his bike to work.

The footage shows Dr Mark Hauskneckt, 65, cycling through a crosswalk while his killer looms behind, also on a bike, at 8.47am Friday.

Houston police said the gunman passed him from behind and two blocks later the shooter turned around on his mountain bike and fired twice.  

The images were taken from afar and photo quality is low, but Hauskneckt is seen circled in green and the suspect is seen circled in red trailing behind.

Dr Mark Hausknecht (circled in green) was killed on Friday while riding his bike near his workplace by a gunman (red)

Hausknecht can be seen in the green circle as the shooting suspect looms behind in red 

Hausknecht can be seen in the green circle as the shooting suspect looms behind in red 

This photo shows the suspect feeling  just moment after shooting dead the cardiologist

This photo shows the suspect feeling  just moment after shooting dead the cardiologist

Dr Mark Hausknecht (left) was killed Friday while riding his bike in Texas. He has treated former president George H W Bush in 2000

Dr Mark Hausknecht (left) was killed Friday while riding his bike in Texas. He has treated former president George H W Bush in 2000

Police on Saturday released this sketch of the suspect in Dr Mark Hausknecht's murder

Police on Saturday released this sketch of the suspect in Dr Mark Hausknecht’s murder

Authorities have released a suspect sketch and appealed to the public for information in the shooting death. 

Police have not revealed whether they suspect the murder was random or targeted. 

Investigators described the suspect as a white or Hispanic male, about 30 years old, five-foot-10 with a slender build and clean shaven. He was last seen wearing a tan baseball cap, sunglasses, a grey warmup jacket and khaki shorts. 

On Saturday, Hausknecht’s devastated widow, emergency medicine physician Dr Georgia R. Hsieh, broke her silence in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. 

”Senseless’ has become a trite adjective to describe these tragedies, but what IS senseless is the misguided notion that any society with more guns is a safer society,’ Hsieh wrote. 

‘When students cannot go to school without fear, and teachers need to arm themselves, what has this country come to?’ she continued.

Hsieh said that as an emergency room doctor, she is ‘no stranger to the devastating consequences’ of gun violence.

‘Now my family and I have unwittingly joined the ranks of thousands of other grieving American families who have lost innocent loved ones,’ she continued.

‘So many have asked what can be done to help,’ she wrote. ‘While law enforcement has given you their focus on finding the criminal, I am asking you to use your vote and your voice to stem the tide of this growing public health epidemic. Write, email or tweet your congressman urging sensible gun laws. We owe it to future generations to leave a safer environment.’  

The shooting happened around 9 am Friday as Dr Hausknecht was going through the Texas Medical Center, where he worked 

The shooting happened around 9 am Friday as Dr Hausknecht was going through the Texas Medical Center, where he worked 

The shooting occurred right before 9am Friday as Hausknecht was riding northbound through Texas Medical Center,  according to Houston Police Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner.

He had been in medical practice for almost 40 years and specialized in cardiovascular disease

He had been in medical practice for almost 40 years and specialized in cardiovascular disease

‘The suspect was on a bicycle as well. Rode past the doctor, turned and fired two shots. The doctor immediately went down,’ Finner said.

Hausknecht was hit at least once and taken to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Hausknecht was going in to work at Houston Methodist Hospital when he was shot, the hospital’s CEO said in an email to staff.

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. 

Hausknecht treated Bush in February 2000 for an irregular heartbeat after the ex-president complained about lightheadedness while visiting Florida.

The cardiologist appeared with Bush at a news conference after his treatment.

Hausknecht (left) appeared with Bush at a news conference after his treatment in 2000

Hausknecht (left) appeared with Bush at a news conference after his treatment in 2000

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.’

Hausknecht had been in medical practice for almost 40 years and specialized in cardiovascular disease, said Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist Hospital.

He was part of the hospital’s medical staff as well as its DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center.

‘His patients appreciated his kind bedside manner and the extra time he took to answer their questions and fully explain their condition and treatment,’ Boom said in an email to employees on Friday. ‘Our employees who worked with him said patients were so proud to call him their doctor.’

Houston CrimeStoppers has offered a reward of $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and charges in the case.

Anyone with information about the shooter is urged to contact Houston CrimeStoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS.

Police are still looking for the suspect who rode past the doctor and fired two shots

Police are still looking for the suspect who rode past the doctor and fired two shots



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