TX - Dr. Mark Hausknecht, 65, Physician to GHW Bush killed in bicycle drive-by shooting, Houston

[Tony1902]

Since Texas is an “at will” employment state, that is standard for all employees of any entity within this state, no?

It’s specific, in the case to which I was referring, for medical contracts with hospital-based physicians. I’ve no clue regarding TX law.

 

[squid]

Houston knows how to forget outrageous murders like this as evidenced by the case of Dr. Fred Conrad, Drector of Patient Care at esteemed MD ANDERSON Cancer Center in the Med Center. Dr. Conrad was shot 8 times and killed in his office at that hospital in 1982, and his killer has never been caught. There is not much online about that case. It’s as if it never happened. Something bigger than us and darker than night is at the root of that puzzling murder.

Very interesting about Dr. Conrad. Investigative journalist Dan Gifford states online that Dr Conrad had been receiving threats and was assassinated before Gifford could interview him. Conviction: This Decade's Most Important Film

Also when googling Dr Conrad's name obituaries come up for 3 of his children. They preceded their mother, Dr Conrad's wife. Tragedy all around for this family.

 

[CocoChanel]

Very interesting about Dr. Conrad. Investigative journalist Dan Gifford states online that Dr Conrad had been receiving threats and was assassinated before Gifford could interview him. Conviction: This Decade's Most Important Film

Also when googling Dr Conrad's name obituaries come up for 3 of his children. They preceded their mother, Dr Conrad's wife. Tragedy all around for this family.

So sad about Dr. Conrad’s case and his family. On another questionable website there was speculation that his murder was tied to military experimentation of biological weaponry on Texas prison inmates. He had been in the military, most likely got his med school education as a result. Not exactly a bargain if his murder had ties to his military background. And how would we ever know???

 

[siliconrod]

I am speculating that the shooter of MH must have rehearsed the shooting and probably followed MH several days prior to the shooting he might be seen on surveillance video from several days or weeks prior to the shooting if possible to retrieve.

 

[1&2&3]

My thought is the suspect had to have a van waiting for his escape so the bicycle would easily fit inside. Even better, the bike could lay down.

Another possibility is the van was closed on the sides, no windows, and had a business logo on it so it didn’t call any attention to it.

If I see a plain van in my neighborhood, it stands out. However, if it has a logo on the side, it says to me that it is okay.

 

[Cryptic]

Notice McClelland mentioned only passion and money, but not workplace grievance which has been one major speculated motive by many.

Workplace grievance could also involve money, no?

I agree, work place grievances could involve money. Likewise, it is possible that the police officer was using the term 'passion' in the broad sense to include any kind of personal animosity and not just say, 'passion' in the romantic sense.

As a side note, using 'passion' to mean any kind of strong feelings is slightly archaic usage, but criminal laws can use slightly archaic, and in some places, obviously archaic language in their wordings. So, the officer's possible broader usage would make sense.

As a side note, the murderer does not appear to be physically fit and seems to look like he holds a sedentary office worker / sales staff type position. Though I imagine that truly professional hitman can look like any body, pro hitmen are, thankfully, also extremely rare.

Rather, the type of person that many hitman hirers find is an amateur with "Rambo" fantasies. As a result, I think an amateur hitman would go for a "tactical" look even if he did not intend to. Maybe better physical condition, with more "cool looking" gear such as sun glasses, open finger gloves, clip knife, range look backpack, etc. e

The lack of rambo accessories might, in a small sense, slightly imply that the shooter is not an amateur hitman, but is either directly or indirectly personally nvolved with the motive.

 

[jjenny]

Doesn't seem to be too amateur to me. Because hitting a moving target is hard to accomplish, and the doctor was shot three times, this expert thinks the killer could have had tactical training (either LE or military). Two shots to the chest and one to the head is apparently a part of tactical training. I tend to agree, I think the killer knew what he was doing. He also managed to escape in the crowded area and to this day has not been arrested.
To find a killer: Retracing gunned-down doctor's route 1 week after his death

 

[jjenny]

I am speculating that the shooter of MH must have rehearsed the shooting and probably followed MH several days prior to the shooting he might be seen on surveillance video from several days or weeks prior to the shooting if possible to retrieve.

Doctor was regularly biking to work and many people have observed him biking to work from what has been reported. I haven't heard anything suggesting anyone saw the killer biking in the area prior to the murder? If he was rehearsing or following the doctor before I am guessing it was in the car.

 

[CocoChanel]

Doesn't seem to be too amateur to me. Because hitting a moving target is hard to accomplish, and the doctor was shot three times, this expert thinks the killer could have had tactical training (either LE or military). Two shots to the chest and one to the head is apparently a part of tactical training. I tend to agree, I think the killer knew what he was doing. He also managed to escape in the crowded area and to this day has not been arrested.
To find a killer: Retracing gunned-down doctor's route 1 week after his death

Interesting comments at your link above, and more food for thought. One thing noted is that there COULD have been a secured perimeter ordered soon after the shooting that may have snared the suspect. Probably not, since most of us agree it was a pro who was in and out of there fast, but still.

Also, comments are noting that this seems to be a half-hearted investigation so far, and I sort of agree. The tactical training jjenny mentioned above could indicate LE background, which might explain why this investigation does not seem productive so far. UGH. I hate to think that this might involve people we have been asked to trust.

 

[jjenny]

Tactical training (LE or military) does suggest a possibility the killer was a hired hit man. The question is, why would someone want to go to these lengths to kill a doctor who by all accounts was a very nice man?

 

[CocoChanel]

Tactical training (LE or military) does suggest a possibility the killer was a hired hit man. The question is, why would someone want to go to these lengths to kill a doctor who by all accounts was a very nice man?

Maybe that is exactly why. This doctor was, as we surmise from what we have read, a very nice man, and no doubt someone of high integrity. He probably would not be comfortable in a situation involving questionable or nefarious dealings. If he voiced concern about that, or it leaked that he was conferring with agencies that could expose this under-the-radar enterprise/patient, it might prompt someone to want to silence him. Pure speculation on my part, but totally within the realm of possibility I believe.

 

[Cryptic]

Doesn't seem to be too amateur to me. Because hitting a moving target is hard to accomplish, and the doctor was shot three times, this expert thinks the killer could have had tactical training (either LE or military).

That depends on how the target is moving and from what distance the shooter is from the target. If the target was moving towards the shooter and a short distance away, hitting him three times would not be difficult.

 

[meanmaryjean]

I think thi

Maybe that is exactly why. This doctor was, as we surmise from what we have read, a very nice man, and no doubt someone of high integrity. He probably would not be comfortable in a situation involving questionable or nefarious dealings. If he voiced concern about that, or it leaked that he was conferring with agencies that could expose this under-the-radar enterprise/patient, it might prompt someone to want to silence him. Pure speculation on my part, but totally within the realm of possibility I believe.

My gut from day one has been that this is very, VERY personal and has nothing to do with him as a physician. MOO and all

 

[Cryptic]

Two shots to the chest and one to the head is apparently a part of tactical training.

No, that is a misconception.

Rather, such training is the exact opposite. Tactical training emphasizes simple, tight pattern center mass hits. No movie stunts , no attempts to recreate either gangsta' or "narco corrido" lyrics.

The reason is that attempting to do movie stunts in real world situations / stress does not work and leads to say, SWAT rescuers "spraying and praying" with the possibility for tragic consequences.

Tactical, police, special forces etc. training does, however, have the concept of a "double tap"- placing two rapidly fired bullets in a tight pattern. This is far easier said than done, especially in real world stress. I don't think, however, the victim was shot with "double taps". Rather, he was struck in the head, chest and extremity. This could indicate a "prayer and sprayer"

 

[jjenny]

No, that is a misconception.

Rather, such training is the exact opposite. Tactical training emphasizes simple, tight pattern center mass hits. No movie stunts , no attempts to recreate either gangsta' or "narco corrido" lyrics.

The reason is that attempting to do movie stunts in real world situations / stress does not work and leads to say, SWAT rescuers "spraying and praying" with the possibility for tragic consequences.

Tactical, police, special forces etc. training does, however, have the concept of a "double tap"- placing two rapidly fired bullets in a tight pattern. This is far easier said than done, especially in real world stress. I don't think, however, the victim was shot with "double taps". Rather, he was struck in the head, chest and extremity. This could indicate a "prayer and sprayer"

It's not a misconception. Two shots in the chest one in the head is called a "Mozambique drill." The head shot is a guarantee.

"Since the head is a much smaller target shooters are trained to always aim for the torso. The torso is a more consistent and larger target. That said the only shot placement guaranteed to fully disable an attacker is in the brain. Since the skull is very hard to penetrate shots need good placement even on the head in order to fully disable the attacker."

Where Does the Phrase 'Two Shots to the Chest and One to The Head' Come From

 

[jjenny]

More on Mozambique drill (also called Failure drill). Chest shots first, head shot last. It might be more advanced training then general "shoot in the body mass" training. Head shot is a guarantee.

"The hard part of the Failure Drill, or the Mozambique Drill, is the first two shots should be fired as quickly as the shooter can center his hits. Then, he must slow down—just a bit—to deliver the head shot with precision. All of this is more difficult than it sounds. The Failure Drill is not just some combat shooting fad, nor even a catchy slogan; it is an extremely useful drill that, when practiced, will save lives."
The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To

 

[jjenny]

Police are being trained in this technique. In this case presumably the head shot was not to stop a threat but to really make sure that the victim was dead. The shooter could very well have a LE (or a military) background.

"Cops are also trained in the Failure Drill — also known as the Mozambique Drill — when body shots do not end the threat. The next target is the head, ideally in an eye socket. Head shots are more difficult than center mass, but they are immensely effective at ending a deadly threat — ask the Tulsa officer who saved this toddler’s life recently."
How to explain to the public why cops don't shoot to wound

 

[Cryptic]

Two shots in the chest one in the head is called a "Mozambique drill." The head shot is a guarantee.

I loathe to play the "just trust me- I know" card on the anonymous internet But... please trust me.

From Mozambique to Michigan, reputable tactical training emphasizes center mass hits (unless one suspects say, the target is wearing body armor).

Though other movie oriented training is sexier, "Kiss" techniques driver results and in the police context, save lives. Center mass hits are "kiss".

 

[jjenny]

Killer wasn't trying to save lives. Pretty sure he was trying to make sure the victim was dead, thus the head shot. Seems pretty obvious he used the "Failure" drill on the victim, to make sure nobody could save the victim-it was very close to a bunch of hospitals so if victim was wounded and not dead, victim could have been saved. Two shots to the chest (the upper left extremity one was presumably intended for left chest (heart)) one to the head to make sure victim is dead. The killer knew what he was doing, and nobody seem to have recognized him so far. The sketch is probably way off from what he actually looks like, and videos are not clear enough to see his face in detail. None of which is really good for the case to be solved.

 

[CocoChanel]

I could be wrong, but I think you are both arguing the same side of the coin jjenny and Cryptic. Since I know zilch about guns and shooting, I come from a very low level of understanding. Reading at the links you provided, I learned that it is preferable to shoot at the larger mass first, the body core, because the head is smaller and usually moving and harder to hit. So 2 quick shots to the central mass, then a short pause to take aim at the head, and one shot there, aiming between the eyebrows and mouth. That head shot is the insurance that the victim is stopped. That seems to be what both of you have been saying, and, in fact, most likely what happened in this case, though we don’t know for sure. But I may be missing something.

At any rate, thank you both for the discussion. It helps shed some light on this terrible murder.