Four members of a family in Georgia were shot to death while three kids hid inside of a closet nearby — and one bravely called 911 during the terrifying incident.
Police responded to a report of gunshots at a home in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in the early morning hours on Friday, January 23, the Gwinnett County Police Department said in a statement.
Meemu Dogra, 43, Gourav Cumar, 33, Nidhi Chander, 37, and Harish Chander, 38, have been identified as the individuals killed on Friday.
The statement said that Dogra’s husband, Vijay Kumar, was arrested on a handful of charges, including four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of felony murder, four counts of malice murder, one count of cruelty to children in the 1st degree and two counts of cruelty to children in the 3rd degree.
Kumar, 51, and Dogra’s 12-year-old child called 911 around 2:30 a.m. on January 23 to report the shooting, according to the statement. When police arrived at the home, the 12-year-old was found hiding in a closet with younger relatives who are 7 and 10 years old.
As police opened an investigation into the tragic shooting, it was discovered that Kumar and Dogra got into an argument at their home in Atlanta, Georgia, before they traveled to the home in Lawrenceville. The second home was owned by Kumar and Dogra’s relatives Cumar and the Chanders, and police said the 7-year-old and the 10-year-old also lived at the home.
All three children were found physically unharmed when police arrived at the home.
It is not currently clear what Kumar and Dogra were arguing about or why they went to the home in Lawrenceville. However, police said in the statement that they believe the killings are “domestic-related.”
After the police were called, Kumar was found nearby the residence and was arrested.
Kumar is currently being held on $22,400 bond, according to Gwinnett County online court records viewed by Luxury Handbag Shopping. It is not currently clear if Kumar has entered pleas or retained legal representation following his arrest.
Following the tragic incident, a family friend set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the victims’ funerals.
“On behalf of my dear friend’s family, I am reaching out to ask for your support after an unimaginable tragedy. Meenu Dogra, Gourav Cumar, Nidhi Chander, and Harish Chander lost their lives in a devastating act of violence,” the post read. “Vijay Kumar, Meenu’s husband, took the lives of his wife and three other relatives, leaving behind two young daughters, as well as other children and a spouse who are now facing a future without their loved ones.”
The post went on to state that the tragedy has “left the family heartbroken and struggling to cope with the emotional and financial aftermath.”
“The funds raised will go directly toward funeral expenses and providing ongoing support for the children and family members left behind. Every donation, no matter the size, will help ease their burden and show them that they are not alone in this difficult time,” the post continued.
The friend added that they were “deeply grateful for any support” the family will receive.
