Wife and three relatives killed in Lawrenceville, Georgia; children survive
January 24, 2026: US authorities have arrested a 51-year-old Indian-origin man, Vijay Kumar, in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife and three relatives in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The early-morning incident has shocked the local community and the Indian diaspora in the United States. The victims were identified as Kumar’s wife Meemu Dogra (43), Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37) and Harish Chander (38), all of whom were found dead from gunshot wounds at a residential home on Brook Ivy Court.
Investigators said the incident was triggered by a family dispute that reportedly began at Kumar’s home in Atlanta and later escalated at his relatives’ residence in Lawrenceville. Kumar, who lived with his wife and their 12-year-old son, is accused of opening fire at the house where his relatives lived with their two young children. Police received emergency calls around 2:30 am and rushed to the scene, discovering the four adults deceased.
Three children — Kumar’s 12-year-old son and his relatives’ children aged 7 and 9 — survived the attack by hiding in a closet. Officials said the 12-year-old boy managed to call 911, alerting police and guiding them to the house. Kumar now faces multiple charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children, as the investigation into the shocking crime continues.