$5,000 reward offered, new images released in Houston doctor's slaying

A day after a beloved Houston cardiologist was gunned down while biking to work in the Texas Medical Center, Houston police have released a sketch of the person of interest. A reward has been offered in an effort to catch the killer. less A day after a beloved Houston cardiologist was gunned down while biking to work in the Texas Medical Center, Houston police have released a sketch of the person of interest. A reward has been offered in an ... more Photo: Houston Police Department Photo: Houston Police Department Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close $5,000 reward offered, new images released in Houston doctor's slaying 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

As the search for a beloved doctor's killer continues, authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Cardiologist Dr. Mark Hausknecht, a renowned Houston Methodist physician who once treated former President George H.W. Bush, was shot to death Friday in broad daylight while riding his bike to work in the Texas Medical Center.

The Houston Police Department also released images late Sunday night from surveillance cameras in the area that show the bikers crossing paths around 8:47 a.m. Friday

The 65-year-old was near the intersection of Main and Holcombe when the gunman passed him from behind, police said. Two blocks later, the shooter turned around on his light-colored mountain bike and fired at least twice. The doctor went down immediately, and the shooter rode off northbound.

It's still not clear whether the killing was random or targeted, but on Saturday night police cobbled together enough details to put out a sketch of the suspect.

The wanted man is described as a clean-shaven white or Hispanic around 30, wearing a gray warm-up jacket, khaki shorts, a tan baseball cap and sunglasses. He's about 5-foot-10 with a slender build, police said.

Police did not clarify Sunday evening whether the sketch had yielded any helpful tips or whether they were drawing any closer to a possible arrest. Crime Stoppers is offering its standard $5,000 reward, the nonprofit confirmed Sunday. The tip line is 713-222-TIPS.

As the investigation continues, police are still looking for more video footage of the morning, hoping to track down additional images of the doctor's final ride to work - and to possibly learn whether anyone was following him.

"The more eyes we have on video cameras," Chief Art Acevedo said Saturday, "the greater the chances are that we will capture additional evidence."

Even as the police investigation unfolded, Hausknecht's grieving widow spoke on the need for gun control legislation, condemning "senseless" violence.

"So many have asked what can be done to help," Dr. Georgia R. Hsieh told the Chronicle in a statement Saturday. "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."

It's not clear if any vigils have been scheduled yet.

Hausknecht earned his degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1980 and started practicing in Houston seven years later. He biked to work every day, and took exceptional care of himself, according to those who knew him.

In the hours after his death, he was remembered fondly by colleagues, patients and co-workers.

"We will all miss seeing Mark in the hallways and seeing patients in the cath lab and (coronary care unit), where he was known as a compassionate physician with a phenomenal bedside manner," Methodist president Dr. Marc Boom said in statement. "Our employees who worked with him said patients were so proud to call him their doctor."