Houston Police release a sketch of a man who officials say fatally shot a well-known cardiologist on a bicycle near the Texas Medical Center Friday morning.
Dr. Mark Hausknecht worked at the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. He was also a leader in Houston Cardiovascular Associates.
Police are not clear on whether the shooting was random, or if the doctor was targeted.
Former nurse Ellie Neberman, who knew the doctor for 15 years and worked with him at both Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist tells our TV partner KPRC Channel-2 she can’t make sense of the crime: "I don't know why anybody would just, the way I heard it, stop, turn around and shoot. It makes no sense."
“Senseless” is also the word used by Dr. Hausknecht’s wife – Dr. Georgia Hsieh:
“After spending his adult life saving and prolonging the lives of others, my talented husband, Dr. Mark Hausknecht, had his life prematurely ended.
“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. When students cannot go to school without fear, and teachers need to arm themselves, what has this country come to?? As a trained emergency medicine physician, I am no stranger to the devastating consequences of both intentional and accidental firearm use. Now my family and I have joined the ranks of the tens of thousands of other grieving Americans who lose innocent loved ones each year.So many have asked what can be done to help. 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 Congressional Representative urging sensible gun laws. We owe it to future generations to leave a safer environment.Our family would like to thank law enforcement, the medical community, and so many colleagues, patients, friends and neighbors who have reached out to support us during this difficult time. Mark loved this city. To honor him--work hard, be responsible, patient, tolerant and compassionate.”
Hausknecht was among the doctors who treated former President George HW Bush, who offered his condolences in a statement. “"Mark was a fantastic cardiologist and a good man. I will always be grateful for his exceptional, compassionate care. His family is in our prayers."
Houston Methodist Hospital also released a statement:
"I’m very sorry to inform you that Dr. Mark Hausknecht, a cardiologist who was an important member of the Houston Methodist staff and the DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, was tragically shot and killed this morning while riding his bicycle to work. Mark was a leader in the Houston Cardiovascular Associates and specialized in cardiovascular disease. He received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at The John Hopkins Hospital. He is a longtime Houston Methodist-affiliated physician and has been in practice for almost four decades.
"His patients appreciated his kind bedside manner and the extra time he took to answer their questions and fully explain their condition and treatment. We will all miss seeing Mark in the hallways and seeing patients in the cath lab and CCU, where he was known as a compassionate physician with a phenomenal bed side manner. Our employees who worked with him said patients were so proud to call him their doctor.
"Not only was he revered by his patients but Mark was highly regarded among his peers and colleagues. He was recently recognized as a Super Doctor, a listing of outstanding doctors who have attained a high degree of peer recognition or professional achievement.
"We wish Mark’s family and friends peace and prayers as they cope with their loss."