Law enforcement agencies are seeking Rubik Akopyan, who allegedly opened fire on people near Marx in the Saratov region. The Telegram channel Baza reported that Akopyan owned a black Land Cruiser and that the vehicle played a central role in the incident. Local authorities have issued alerts as investigators piece together the sequence of events and establish a clear timeline for what happened that day.
According to Baza, Sokolovsky and Kutuzov attempted to stop Akopyan’s black jeep near Victory Park on the Oka. The Land Cruiser accelerated and briefly overtook the pursuing officers, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire and a physical confrontation. The assailant fired at Sokolovsky and Kutuzov with a pistol, then abandoned the Land Cruiser nearby and disappeared into the surrounding streets. The confrontation near the park left investigators with multiple questions about motive, age of the assailant, and the exact route he took after the incident.
On 24 November, after gunfire erupted in Marx, regional authorities activated the Stop Plan to coordinate the response across the area. The plan aims to streamline communications, consolidate incident command, and expedite the search for vehicles and individuals connected to the crime. The decision reflected the seriousness of the event and the need for a rapid, unified police response across neighboring districts and municipalities.
Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene near Victory Park as officers and bystanders responded to the incident. Reports indicated the shooter was driving a vehicle at the time of the confrontation. The suspect fled the scene and a wide search operation commenced, with law enforcement agencies employing patrols, checkpoints, and request for public help to locate the assailant. Preliminary information suggests the attacker may have chosen the victims in advance, adding a layer of premeditation to the case and prompting further scrutiny of surveillance footage and traffic data.
It is believed that the conflict began with a traffic dispute. According to early lines of inquiry, the Oka blocked the Land Cruiser’s path, prompting the driver of the Land Cruiser to respond with a firearm. One of the victims did not survive the exchange, and the incident immediately raised concerns about the opportunities for weapon access and road rage turning deadly in urban areas. Investigators are examining cellphone records, witness statements, and vehicle debris to reconstruct the moments leading up to the shots being fired.
The Stop Plan involves the creation of a dedicated task force to locate vehicles linked to serious or especially serious crimes. This framework supports cross-agency collaboration, rapid vehicle tracing, and enhanced information sharing to prevent further harm and bring those responsible to justice. In this case, authorities are prioritizing the search for the black Land Cruiser and any vehicles that may have been involved in the chase or the shooting itself.
Earlier reports indicated that the attacker had fled the Saratov region, raising concerns about potential movement across jurisdictions and the need for a coordinated regional response. Given the fluid nature of the investigation, officials are urging residents to report any sightings or information that could help verify the suspect’s location and movements. The situation remains dynamic as law enforcement continues to gather evidence and confirm details while ensuring public safety in the area around Victory Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.