Police Seek Motive in Mysterious Ark. Car Bombing

This is a rush transcript from "On the Record ," February 4, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: A car bomb blowing up a doctor right out in front of his home. It happened in Arkansas, the doctor now in critical condition, the details bizarre. Here's what we know at this our. The victim is Dr. Trent Pierce, chairman of the Arkansas state medical board. He was leaving for work this morning when his white Lexus hybrid exploded. The ATF confirms some kind of explosive device was placed in or near the car, causing the explosion.

Joining us by phone is West Memphis police chief Bob Paudert, who -- the chief is also a patient of Dr. Pierce. Chief, what can you tell me about the investigation? Are there any suspects or any motives?

CHIEF BOB PAUDERT, WEST MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT: Greta, not right now. I've just left hospital with Dr. Pierce. We've been in meetings tonight with ATF and FBI, and there are no suspects at this time.

VAN SUSTEREN: Chief, is the doctor well enough to help you in the investigation?

PAUDERT: No. He's extremely critical. He's sedated. He's been in surgery. He lost one eye. They did surgery on the other eye. He has a broken leg, a broken wrist, multiple cuts on his body from the concussion. And he has severe and critical burns to his face, where it took most of the impact was the facial area. So he's in intensive care. He just got out of surgery a few minutes ago, and he's now in intensive care. So he's not able to give any information at all at this time.

VAN SUSTEREN: Chief, is there anything controversial about his medical practice at all?

PAUDERT: Greta, nothing at all. This is probably one of the most respected men in West Memphis and in this entire area. He's the chairman of the board of -- the medical board in Little Rock. His patients love him. He is, as I said, well respected by everyone here. He attends all the fund-raisers. He's just a gentle and kind person.

VAN SUSTEREN: Any family or marriage problems or financial issues?

PAUDERT: Absolutely not. His wife, Melissa, works with him at the doctor's office. They have a great relationship. There's just no problems anywhere that we know of right now.

VAN SUSTEREN: Have you gone through his e-mail, through his mail? Has he complained about any threats or any weird stalking, anything like that, sir?

PAUDERT: He has never complained of any threats. I asked his wife tonight while I was at the hospital. She said they don't -- they've never received any strange phone calls, no e-mails. There's just no -- no -- it's just a mystery, at this point, why someone would do this.

VAN SUSTEREN: Where was he headed when he was leaving this morning?

PAUDERT: Well, it's my information that he was going to his car to warm it up. It was in the 20s this morning in West Memphis, and he was going to warm his car up before he went to his office, and his destination was going to be his office.

VAN SUSTEREN: I understand that he was on some board and that tomorrow, he was supposed to be at some -- a medical board?

PAUDERT: Yes, he's the chairman of the medical board in Little Rock that hears cases on doctors' malpractice and things like that. And he has pulled the license of many doctors in the state for many reasons. But he had a hearing in Little Rock I think tomorrow for two days, and he was preparing for that hearing in Little Rock. And we don't know if there's any connection there or not, but -- they will be discussed with (ph) tomorrow. AT&F will discuss with the board members tomorrow any possibility of the cases coming up that may be connected to this case.

VAN SUSTEREN: Indeed, it's a terrible mystery and a terrible tragedy tonight, certainly for his family and people who love him, as well. Chief, thank you, and we hope the best for the doctor, that he pulls through this.

PAUDERT: Thank you, Greta.

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