US Family Massacre: Why Indian-Origin Man Vijay Kumar Killed Wife and Three Relatives; Children Found Hiding in Closet

An Indian-origin man, identified as Vijay Kumar, killed his wife, 43-year-old Meenu Dogra and three other relatives in Georgia, US. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday in Lawrenceville city in Atlanta's suburbs.

When the 911 emergency crew reached the spot, they found four bodies with gunshot injuries on the floor of the house. The Georgia Police Department received an emergency call on 911 from a child who, along with his two siblings were hiding in a closet after their father killed their mother and three others. However, children remain unhurt.

51-year-old shooter Kumar was arrested a few metres from the house and charged with four counts of aggravated assault and four counts of felony murder. Charges under four counts of murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree have also been invoked. 

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India's Consulate General in Atlanta confirmed the suspect was in custody and that they were expediting assistance to the 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,” it said on X.

Why Vijay Kumar Killed Wife and Three Relatives?

Gwinnett County Police told news agency PTI that the argument began between Kumar and Dogra at their home in Atlanta and they travelled to their relatives’ home on Brook Ivy Court with their 12-year-old child. Gourav Cumar, Nidhi Chander, and Harish Chander resided at the Brook Ivy Court home, along with two juveniles who are seven and 10 years old.

“It is unknown at this time what the argument was about, why they came to the residence, or what led up to the incident,” police said. Police said officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court in Lawrenceville on Friday at approximately 2.30 am after receiving reports of shots fired inside a residence.

Upon arrival, officers located four deceased adults inside the home, all suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, including relatives Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38.