US: Indian woman, 3 relatives shot dead by husband in domestic dispute; children hid in closet

An Indian man has been arrested in the US after allegedly shooting dead his wife and three relatives inside a home, in what police described as a domestic dispute. The accused has been identified as 51-year-old Vijay Kumar.

Investigators said three children, including Kumar’s 12-year-old child, were present in the house at the time of the shooting but managed to hide in a closet and survived.

Indian mission extends assistance

The Indian Mission in Atlanta said it was extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family.

“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,” the mission said in a post on X.

Early morning police response

Police received a call at around 2.30 am on Friday reporting a shooting at a residence in the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court. When officers arrived at the scene, they found four adults inside the home with fatal gunshot wounds, Fox5 reported.

Kumar’s vehicle was still parked in the driveway, prompting police to deploy K-9 units to search the surrounding area. A police dog tracked him to a nearby wooded area, where he was located and taken into custody.

More from World

Is Trump bluffing on Iran or serious? History has a lesson for him Kabul blast: Why was a Chinese restaurant targeted by the Islamic State?

Gwinnett County Police identified the victims as Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, of Atlanta, and Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38, all residents of Lawrenceville.

Child’s 911 call proves crucial

Police said Kumar and Dogra’s child was the one who called 911 and provided critical information, allowing officers to reach the scene within minutes. The children were unharmed and were later picked up by a family member, according to Fox5.

According to investigators, the incident began with an argument between Kumar and Dogra at their home in Atlanta. The couple then travelled with their child to the Brook Ivy Court residence, where Gourav Cumar, Nidhi Chander and Harish Chander lived along with two minors aged seven and 10.

Charges filed

Vijay Kumar has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of felony murder, four counts of malice murder, one count of first-degree cruelty to children, and two counts of third-degree cruelty to children.