Authorities filed an arrest warrant for Joseph James Pappas, 62, who is believed to be armed and dangerous as well as suicidal, said Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo during a press conference Wednesday. The arrest warrant carries a charge of murder. Anyone aware of Pappas’ whereabouts or who has any information about him should call 911.
ABC News reports that the Houston cardiologist, Dr. Mark Hausknecht, the one-time doctor of former president George H.W. Bush, was murdered in cold blood in broad daylight by a man who held a 20-year grudge against him.
The alleged murderer, Joseph James Pappas, was apparently still angry at Dr. Hausknecht for his mother dying twenty years ago while Dr. Hausknecht operated on her.
Hausknecht was shot on July 20 as he rode his bicycle in broad daylight in a residential neighborhood in Houston.
“We believe this absolutely is the killer of Dr. Hausknecht,” Acevedo said.
Acevedo praised members of the community for coming forward after the latest footage was released on Monday with a clearer image of the suspect.
“Good job,” he said. “Thank you for all your work. You did your part.”
That footage was obtained from home surveillance, and the police department received several tips from people who recognized the man, ABC News reports.
Acevedo said that people close to Pappas have not heard from him in for 36 to 48 hours. Acevedo said the suspect allegedly sent a text to someone indicating “that he was going to kill himself.”
Anyone aware of Pappas’ whereabouts or who has any information about him should call 911.
Pappas is described as a “very fit white male” and is riding a 10-speed Schwinn model bike.
Hausknecht was heading to work when he was shot, the president and CEO of Houston Methodist Hospital, Marc L. Boom, wrote on the hospital’s website.
“He was a brilliant physician, and he’s touched a lot of lives,” Acevedo said.
Houston police released a composite sketch of the suspect in the fatal shooting of prominent Dr. Mark Hausknecht on Friday, July 20, 2018. (Houston Police Department):
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