Four Family Members Found Fatally Shot in Lawrenceville Home While Children Hid in Closet
LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia — In the early morning hours of January 23, 2026, a domestic dispute turned deadly in a quiet Gwinnett County neighborhood, leaving four adults dead and three children traumatized but alive after they hid in a closet to escape the gunfire.
Police responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m. from the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court after a 12-year-old child reported hearing shots fired inside the residence. When officers arrived, they discovered a horrific scene: four adults, all suffering from fatal gunshot wounds, scattered throughout the home.
The Victims
The deceased were identified as Meemu Dogra, 43, of Atlanta; Gourav Cumar, 33; Nidhi Chander, 37; and Harish Chander, 38, all of Lawrenceville. Dogra was married to the suspect, 51-year-old Vijay Kumar, also of Atlanta.
The Suspect
Vijay Kumar was arrested shortly after the shootings following a K-9 track that led police to a nearby woodline where he was found hiding. He was taken into custody without incident and now faces a staggering array of charges: 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.
The Children Who Survived
Perhaps the most haunting aspect of this case involves the three children who were present during the massacre. The 12-year-old child of Kumar and Dogra made the critical 911 call that brought police to the scene. When officers entered the home, they found this child along with two other children—ages 7 and 10—hiding in a closet, physically unharmed but undoubtedly traumatized by what they had witnessed.
The younger two children were relatives who lived at the Brook Ivy Court residence with Cumar and the Chanders.
What Led to the Tragedy
According to investigators, the violence began with an argument between Dogra and Kumar at their Atlanta home. The couple then traveled to the Lawrenceville residence with their 12-year-old child, where the dispute escalated into fatal violence.
Police have confirmed the shooting was domestic-related, though the specific nature of the argument and why the couple went to the Lawrenceville home remain unknown. Investigators noted there had been prior calls for service at the household, suggesting a history of domestic issues.
The Investigation
The speed of the police response proved critical. Officers arrived while Kumar’s vehicle was still in the driveway, prompting the deployment of K-9 units to track the suspect. The police dog successfully located Kumar in a nearby wooded area, leading to his swift apprehension.
The Consulate General of India in Atlanta issued a statement acknowledging that an Indian national was among the victims and confirming that “all possible assistance is being extended to the bereaved family.”
The Aftermath
The three surviving children were picked up by a family member after being found in the closet. As of this writing, it remains unclear whether Vijay Kumar has entered pleas to the charges or retained legal representation. Gwinnett County online court records did not show his case information as of January 26.
This case serves as a devastating reminder of how domestic violence can escalate with catastrophic consequences. While the suspect has been apprehended, the investigation continues as authorities work to understand what drove a family dispute to end in four deaths and three children orphaned and traumatized.
Resources: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.