Family Dispute Turns Deadly in the US: One Indian National Among Four Killed in Atlanta Shooting
Georgia | 24 January 2026 A tragic shooting incident in the United States has left four people dead, including one Indian national, following what police believe was a family dispute. The incident took place in Gwinnett County’s Lawrenceville area near Atlanta, sending shockwaves through the local community and among Indian diaspora members. According to local authorities, the shooting occurred at a residence on Brook Ivy Court, where relatives had gathered. While initial local reports did not confirm the nationality of the victims, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta later confirmed that one of those killed was an Indian national. However, officials did not specify which victim held Indian citizenship. Police identified the suspect as 51-year-old Vijay Kumar. His wife, 43-year-old Meemu Dogra, was also among those killed. The other victims were identified as Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37), and Harish Chander (38). Based on their names, officials believe the victims were of Indian origin, though nationality has been officially confirmed for only one person so far. Investigators revealed that Vijay Kumar and his wife, residents of Atlanta, had an argument at their home before traveling with their 12-year-old child to the house of their relatives. Gourav, Nidhi, and Harish were living at the Brook Ivy Court residence along with their two children, aged 7 and 9. What began as a family visit soon turned into a deadly confrontation. In a heartbreaking detail, police found the three children—aged 12, 7, and 9—hiding inside a closet when officers reached the scene. The children were trying to protect themselves, and it was the suspect’s 12-year-old son who managed to call 911, alerting authorities. When police arrived, they found four people dead inside the house. The Consulate General of India in Atlanta expressed grief over the incident, stating, “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.” Local police confirmed that there are no other suspects involved. “At this time, there are no outstanding suspects. The motive remains under investigation but appears to be domestic related,” police said in an official statement. Vijay Kumar was later located a short distance from the residence and taken into custody. He has been charged with multiple counts, including murder, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to look into the exact sequence of events that led to the tragedy, while child protection services are working to ensure care and support for the surviving Family Argument Ends in Tragedy: Four Killed in Atlanta Shooting, One Victim Indian National A shocking shooting incident in Lawrenceville, Atlanta, has claimed the lives of four people after an alleged family dispute turned violent. The incident took place at a home in Gwinnett County, where police believe tensions within the family led to the deadly attack. Among those killed was one Indian national, as confirmed by the Indian Consulate. The suspect has been identified as 51-year-old Vijay Kumar. His wife, 43-year-old Meemu Dogra, was also among the victims. The other three people who lost their lives were identified as Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37), and Harish Chander (38). While officials believe the victims were of Indian origin based on their names, nationality has been officially confirmed for only one person so far. Police investigations revealed that Vijay Kumar and his wife had an argument at their Atlanta residence before they traveled with their 12-year-old child to the home of their relatives on Brook Ivy Court. The relatives were living there with their two young children. What was meant to be a family visit soon turned into a tragic incident that left multiple families devastated. When officers reached the scene, they found three children aged 12, 7, and 9 hiding inside a closet to save themselves. It was the suspect’s 12-year-old son who called 911 for help. The Indian Consulate said, “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.” Police also stated, “At this time, there are no outstanding suspects. The motive remains under investigation but appears to be domestic related.”