A 32-year-old postdoctoral researcher from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was fatally shot during a robbery on Sunday evening, November 12, 2023, in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Alexander Bulakhov was walking with his wife, Anastasia Bulakhov, and their two-year-old daughter along Tennessee Street near Butler Park when an armed robber confronted them.
The assailant, identified as 23-year-old Marious Ward, approached the family wearing a hoodie and a ski mask. He demanded their property, causing Bulakhov to hand over his wallet. Ward then pointed the gun at Anastasia, prompting Bulakhov to attempt to disarm the robber. In the ensuing struggle, the gun went off and Bulakhov was shot and later died from his injuries after being taken to Regional One Hospital.
The Memphis Police Department began a homicide investigation, which led to the arrest of Ward and his accomplice, 22-year-old Brandy Rucker, who drove the getaway car. The suspects were captured the following day in a white Toyota Camry, matching the description of the vehicle used to flee the scene. The Camry had distinctive damages, including a missing bumper, a damaged door, and a rear window.
Both Ward and Rucker face charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder, among others. In court, Ward, who had recently secured a job at Amazon, was assigned a public defender, while Rucker’s attorney mentioned ongoing discussions to understand the events and the relationship between the two suspects.
Before moving to Memphis in July, Dr. Bulakhov and his family had spent four years in Brooklyn, New York, where he worked at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. He held a doctorate in biotechnology and biochemistry from the Research Center of Biotechnology and a master’s degree in chemistry from Moscow State University. He moved to the US from Russia in 2018 for postdoctoral research.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital expressed its commitment to supporting Dr. Bulakhov’s family during this challenging period. Fundraisers have been established to aid Anastasia, who has yet to secure employment in Memphis, and their young daughter. Over $41,000 was raised through a GoFundMe campaign for his family.