On the evening of November 12, 2023, a family walk in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, turned into a tragedy that ended the life of 32-year-old Alexander Bulakhov. A postdoctoral researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital who had recently moved to the area with his family, Bulakhov was out with his wife, Anastasia, and their two-year-old daughter.
The family had relocated to Memphis in July for his fellowship.
As they were walking, they were approached by a man in a ski mask who brandished a gun and demanded their property. Bulakhov complied, giving the assailant his wallet. The situation escalated when the gunman then pointed his weapon at Anastasia and demanded more. In an act of defense, Bulakhov intervened to protect his wife. During the ensuing struggle, the gun discharged, and Bulakhov was critically wounded. He was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the deadly robbery quickly led police to identify a white Toyota Camry with distinctive damage that was seen on surveillance footage in the area before the shooting. The day after the incident, officers located the vehicle and arrested two suspects: Marious Ward, then 23, and Brandy Rucker, then 22.
According to police, Ward confessed to being the gunman, while Rucker admitted to driving the getaway car. Both were initially charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, and using a firearm during a dangerous felony. In a turn of events, the charges against Rucker were dismissed in January 2024 due to a lack of probable cause at the time. However, a grand jury later indicted both Ward and Rucker in April 2024 on charges including first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault. Rucker was subsequently re-arrested in August 2024 and held on a $1 million bond. In June 2024, a judge set Marious Ward's bond at $275,000, a decision that the District Attorney's office publicly stated they believed was insufficient given the nature of the crime.
