Lawrenceville, January 24, 2026 — The Indian American community in metro Atlanta is reeling from a devastating domestic violence incident that claimed four lives early Friday morning in a quiet Lawrenceville neighborhood.
Vijay Kumar, 51, of Atlanta, has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder after allegedly shooting and killing his wife and three relatives at a home on Brook Ivy Court in the early morning hours of January 23. The victims have been identified as Kumar’s wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, of Atlanta, and her relatives Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38, all residents of Lawrenceville.
Three children — ages 7, 10, and 12 — were inside the home during the shooting and survived by hiding together in a closet. In a remarkable act of courage and quick thinking, the 12-year-old child, who is Kumar and Dogra’s son, called 911 to alert authorities.
A Dispute That Turned Deadly
According to Gwinnett County Police, the tragedy began with an argument between Kumar and Dogra at their home in Atlanta. For reasons that remain unclear, the couple then traveled with their 12-year-old child to the Brook Ivy Court residence in Lawrenceville, where Dogra’s relatives lived along with two younger children.
Officers responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 2:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of four adults inside the home, all suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. All four victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
“It’s definitely a tragic situation — four people dying at the same time, especially with children in the home, is very, very tragic,” said Gwinnett County Police Corporal Angela Carter.
Police deployed K-9 units to search the area and located Kumar a short distance from the residence, hiding in a nearby wooded area. He was taken into custody without incident, with his vehicle still parked in the driveway of the home.
Serious Charges Filed
Kumar 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 first degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree.
Investigators have not yet released details about what sparked the initial argument between the couple or why they traveled to the Lawrenceville residence. “It is unknown at this time what the argument was about, why they came to the residence, or what led up to the incident,” Gwinnett County Police stated in their official update.
Children Safe, Community in Shock
The three children who witnessed the horrific events have been placed in the care of a family member. Despite the trauma of the experience, all three children were physically unharmed.
The Lawrenceville community and the broader Indian American population in metro Atlanta have been shaken by the incident. Brook Ivy Court is located in a residential area of Gwinnett County, home to one of the largest Indian American communities in the Southeast.
Indian Consulate Responds
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and pledging support to the affected families.
“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 Consulate said in a post on social media platform X. “The alleged shooter has been arrested, and all possible assistance is being extended to the bereaved family.”
The Consulate has been in contact with local authorities and is coordinating with family members to provide consular assistance as needed.
A Growing Concern
This tragedy highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence that affects families across all communities, including Asian American households where such incidents are often underreported due to cultural stigma.
According to national statistics, domestic violence occurs in all communities regardless of economic status, education level, or cultural background. However, immigrant communities may face additional barriers to seeking help, including language barriers, fear of deportation, lack of familiarity with available resources, and cultural pressure to keep family matters private.
Local advocates are urging community members who may be experiencing domestic conflict to seek help before situations escalate. Resources are available through organizations such as the Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) in Gwinnett County, which offers services in multiple languages including Hindi, Gujarati, and other South Asian languages.
Investigation Continues
Gwinnett County Police are continuing their investigation into the incident. Detectives are working to piece together the events that led to the shooting and determine what sparked the deadly confrontation.
Authorities have confirmed there are no outstanding suspects in the case, and the incident appears to be isolated and domestic in nature.
The investigation remains active, and police are asking anyone with information to contact Gwinnett County Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.
Resources for Those in Need
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available:
– National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (available 24/7 in multiple languages)
– Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV): 770-963-9799
– Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-800-334-2836
– National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
For members of the Asian American community seeking culturally sensitive support, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence maintains a national directory of resources at www.gbvhelpresources.org.
