A 51-year-old Indian-origin man has been arrested for allegedly shooting dead his wife and three relatives in Georgia, reportedly over a family dispute, news agency PTI reported.
The suspect, Vijay Kumar, was taken into custody a short distance from the residence in Lawrenceville where the shooting occurred on Friday, the Gwinnett County Police said in a social media post.
The victims have been identified as Kumar’s wife Meemu Dogra, 43, an Indian national, and relatives Gourav Cumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37), and Harish Chander (38), PTI reported.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta, expressing grief over the incident, said the alleged shooter had been arrested and all possible assistance was being extended 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,” it said on X.
Police said an argument began between Kumar and Dogra at their home in Atlanta before they travelled with their 12-year-old child to a relative’s residence on Brook Ivy Court. The three adult victims resided there along with two juveniles, aged seven and 10, PTI reported.
Georgia shooting: Suspect faces multiple murder and child cruelty charges
Kumar’s child called 911 after the incident.
“It is unknown at this time what the argument was about, why they came to the residence, or what led up to the incident,” the police added.
Kumar has been charged with four counts each of aggravated assault, felony murder, and malice murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the third degree.
Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court around 2.30 am on Friday following reports of shots fired inside a residence. On arrival, police found four deceased adults inside the home with apparent gunshot wounds, PTI reported. The three children were hiding in a closet and were unharmed.
While the motive remains under investigation, authorities said it appears to be domestic-related.
(With PTI inputs)
Indian-origin man arrested for killing wife, three relatives in Georgia
