Three children survived by hiding in a closet as one child called 911 to alert authorities
An immigrant from India has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting dead his wife and three other relatives during a horrific domestic argument in Lawrenceville, Georgia, early Friday morning.
Three children who were inside the home during the incident survived by hiding in a closet after one child successfully called 911 to alert authorities.
The suspect identified as Vijay Kumar, 51, of Atlanta, was taken into custody after police dogs successfully tracked him to a nearby woodline, Fox 5 reported citing the Gwinnett County police.
He has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of felony murder, four counts of malice murder, one count of cruelty to children in the 1st degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the 3rd degree.
The victims, according to Gwinnett County police, are Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, of Atlanta, Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38, all of Lawrenceville.
Police responded to a “shots fired” call at about 2:30 a.m. on Friday in the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court. Upon arrival, officers discovered the bodies of four adults inside the residence, all of whom had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
According to investigators, an argument began between Dogra and Kumar at their home in Atlanta, and they traveled to the residence on Brook Ivy Court with their 12-year-old child.
Gourav Cumar, Nidhi Chander, and Harish Chander, who are relatives of Dogra and Kumar, resided at the Brook Ivy Court home, along with two children who are seven and ten years old.
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In a chilling detail from the scene, officials revealed that three young children were present when the shooting began. To protect themselves, the children retreated to a closet to hide.
One of the children managed to call 911, providing critical information that allowed officers to reach the scene within minutes, investigators said. The children were unharmed and have since been picked up by a family member.
It is unknown at this time what the argument was about, why they came to the residence, or what led up to the incident. But investigators noted that there had been prior calls for service at the household.
According to investigators, because of the rapid response prompted by the 911 call, officers arrived while the suspect’s vehicle was still in the driveway. Believing the shooter was still nearby, K-9 officers were dispatched to search the surrounding area.
The police dog successfully tracked the suspect to a nearby woodline, where he was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta, expressing grief over the shooting, said an Indian national was among the victims and all possible assistance was being extended to the bereaved family.
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“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,” it posted on X.