An Indian American man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his wife and three relatives during a domestic dispute in Lawrenceville, Georgia, while three children survived by hiding in a closet.
An Indian American man has been charged with multiple counts of murder following a tragic incident in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he allegedly shot his wife and three relatives during a domestic argument early Friday morning.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Vijay Kumar of Atlanta, was taken into custody after police dogs tracked him to a nearby wooded area, according to reports from Fox 5 and the Gwinnett County police.
Kumar faces serious charges, including four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of felony murder, four counts of malice murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree.
The victims of this tragic event include Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, also of Atlanta, along with Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38, all of Lawrenceville.
Authorities responded to a “shots fired” call around 2:30 a.m. on Friday at a residence located in the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of four adults inside the home, each having sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
According to investigators, the altercation began between Dogra and Kumar at their home in Atlanta before they traveled to the Brook Ivy Court residence with their 12-year-old child. The other victims were relatives of Dogra and Kumar, residing at the same location along with two additional children aged seven and ten.
In a chilling turn of events, three young children were present during the shooting. To protect themselves, they hid in a closet, and one of them managed to call 911, providing crucial information that enabled officers to respond quickly to the scene. Fortunately, the children were unharmed and have since been placed in the care of a family member.
Details surrounding the argument that led to the shooting remain unclear, and investigators are still working to determine the circumstances that prompted the incident. Notably, there had been prior calls for service at the household, indicating a history of domestic issues.
Thanks to the rapid response initiated by the 911 call, officers arrived while Kumar’s vehicle was still in the driveway. Fearing that the shooter was still in the vicinity, K-9 units were deployed to search the surrounding area.
The police dog successfully located Kumar in a nearby wooded area, where he was apprehended without further incident.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta expressed its sorrow over the shooting, noting that an Indian national was among the victims. The consulate stated that it is providing all possible assistance to the bereaved family.
In a statement posted on X, the consulate said, “We are deeply grieved by a tragic shooting incident linked to an alleged family dispute, in which an Indian national was among the victims. The alleged shooter has been arrested, and all possible assistance is being extended to the bereaved family.”
This incident has raised concerns within the community, highlighting the need for discussions around mental health and domestic violence, especially among immigrant populations.
As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the implications of this tragic event, which serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding domestic disputes.
According to Fox 5, the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to uncover more details about the circumstances leading up to this devastating incident.