US family tragedy in Georgia: Kids hide and call police as four relatives killed

Georgia: A tragic incident involving an Indian family in the United States has prompted a police investigation in Georgia, where four adults were found dead at a residence following an alleged domestic dispute. Authorities have arrested a 51-year-old Indian national in connection with the case, while three children present at the time were found unharmed and are now in the care of relatives.

Vijay Kumar, 51, has been taken into custody in Gwinnett County, Georgia, following an early-morning shooting at a residence on Brook Ivy Court on January 23. Police said the victims were Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, and their relatives Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38.

According to the Gwinnett County Police, an argument began between Kumar and Dogra at their home in Atlanta, after which they travelled with their 12-year-old child to the Brook Ivy Court residence, where the other victims lived along with two minors aged seven and ten. Investigators said it remains unclear what the argument was about or what led to the shooting.

Officers reached the scene around 2.30 am after receiving reports of gunfire and found the four adults with fatal gunshot wounds. Kumar’s vehicle was still parked at the house, prompting a search of the area. A K-9 unit later tracked him to a nearby wooded area, where he was arrested.

Police said the couple’s 12-year-old child hid during the incident and was the one who called 911, providing critical information that helped officers reach the scene quickly. All three children were unharmed and were later taken into the care of a family member.

Kumar has been charged with four counts each of aggravated assault, felony murder and malice murder, along with one count of cruelty to children in the first degree and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

Reacting to the incident, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta 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.”