Man Accused Of Doc Killing Sought Revenge In Mom’s Death: Cops

HOUSTON, TX – The man who police say shot and killed Houston cardiologist Dr. Mark Hausknecht on July 20 held a grudge against the doctor for 20 years, police revealed on Wednesday. Detectives discovered that the mother of Joseph James Pappas died while in surgery being performed by Hausknecht.

After searching Pappas' home, an arrest warrant for the 62-year-old man has been issued. He remains at-large. Anyone who sees Pappas should notify police immediately. He is considered armed, dangerous and suicidal, police said.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said Pappas gunned down Hausknecht because he was still angry about losing his mother. Hausknecht was shot as he rode his bicycle. Pappas was also on a bicycle when he killed the doctor, Acevedo said.

“Evidence has been obtained that ties this man to this crime, and we believe that this absolutely is the killer of Dr. Hausknecht,” Acevedo said. “It appears this was a 20-year-old grudge that this man held.”

Police went to Pappas' home on Tuesday with a search warrant, but he was not at home, Acevedo said. Other than saying police have "plenty of evidence" that ties Pappas to the doctor's death, Acevedo declined to go into further detail.

Police said that as of Tuesday Pappas had not been heard from for at least 36 hours. A text message Pappas sent to a friend indicates that he might be suicidal.

In the days following the shooting, police released video that showed a man on a bicycle wearing a dark blue shirt, a khaki baseball cap and khaki shorts leaving the scene of the murder.

Witnesses described the shooter at the time as a fit white or Hispanic man about 30 years old and possibly wearing glasses.

Pappas is considered armed and extremely dangerous, and anyone with any information is asked to call HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

This is a developing story.

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Image: HPD

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