A tragic shooting incident linked to an alleged family dispute has claimed the lives of four people, including an Indian woman and her close relatives, in the US state of Georgia. The accused, identified as the woman’s husband, has been arrested by local authorities, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in Lawrenceville city, sending shockwaves through the local community as well as among Indians living in the United States. According to police, officers responded to a distress call at around 2:30 am local time at a residence located in the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court.
Upon reaching the scene, police discovered the bodies of four adults inside the house. All victims had sustained fatal gunshot wounds, investigators said. Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic or family-related dispute, though further details are still under investigation.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta confirmed that an Indian national was among the victims and expressed deep grief over the incident. In an official statement shared on social media platform X, the Consulate said the alleged shooter has been taken into custody and that all possible assistance is being provided to the bereaved family.
Local police identified the accused as Vijay Kumar, 51, a resident of Atlanta. The victims were identified as Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, along with Gourav Kumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38.
At the time of the shooting, three children were present inside the house. Police officials said the children managed to save themselves by hiding inside a closet while the violence unfolded. In a remarkable act of courage, one of the children called 911 and provided crucial information that enabled officers to reach the location within minutes.
Authorities confirmed that the children were not injured and were later safely taken into the care of a family member.
Vijay Kumar has been booked on multiple serious charges, including four counts each of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. He also faces one count of cruelty to children in the first degree and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree, according to police records. The accused remains in custody as the investigation continues.
The incident has deeply affected the Indian community in Georgia, with community members expressing shock and sorrow over the loss of lives. Police officials said more information regarding the motive and sequence of events will be shared as the investigation progresses.
This remains a developing story, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.