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Accident – Death – Obituary News : St Jude researcher Alexander Bulakhov’s GoFundMe campaign has gained significant traction, raising $41,665 after the 32-year-old was tragically shot and killed in Downtown Memphis while defending his family from thieves on Sunday, November 12, 2023.
The fundraising page, created by friends and colleagues, aims to support the immediate needs of Bulakhov’s family. The page highlights that Bulakhov was a member of the Department of Structural Biology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
According to police reports, the incident started as a robbery that quickly escalated into a homicide. On the fateful night, Bulakhov, his wife Ana, and their 2-year-old daughter Varvara were taking a stroll near Tom Lee Park in downtown Memphis. Marious Ward, the suspect, approached the family and brandished a gun.
Ward demanded property from Bulakhov, who complied with the demands. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when Ward turned the weapon toward Bulakhov’s wife. In an act of bravery, Bulakhov courageously fought back, trying to protect his family. Unfortunately, during the struggle, the suspect’s gun went off, fatally injuring Bulakhov. He was rushed to Regional One Health but succumbed to his injuries.
The suspects, Marious Ward and Brandy Rucker, fled the scene in a Toyota Camry. However, police apprehended them the following day after tracking down the vehicle in the area of Whitney Avenue and Steele Street. Ward and Rucker are currently being held without bail and face several charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.
Alexander Bulakhov, originally from Russia, immigrated to the United States in 2018. He worked as a postdoctoral research assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Before coming to the US, Bulakhov worked as a genetic engineer in Moscow, where he obtained a master’s degree in chemistry and enzymology from Moscow State University in 2013. In 2018, he joined the State University of New York’s Downstate Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn before starting his tenure at St. Jude in July 2023.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital expressed deep sadness over the loss of Bulakhov and extended their condolences to his family. They are working to provide support during this difficult time.
Ward and Rucker are scheduled to be arraigned in Shelby County Criminal Court on Wednesday.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that lurk in our communities and the sacrifices made by individuals like Alexander Bulakhov to protect their loved ones. The outpouring of support through the GoFundMe campaign demonstrates the impact Bulakhov had on his colleagues and friends at St. Jude and the wider community..
