LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – Gwinnett County is reeling from a horrific act of domestic violence that unfolded overnight, leaving four adults dead, three young children physically unharmed but profoundly traumatized, and an entire community grappling with grief and shock.
In the quiet suburb of Brook Ivy Court, what began as a domestic dispute in Atlanta ended in an unthinkable tragedy. According to Gwinnett County Police, Vijay Kumar, 51, and his wife, Meemu Dogra, 43, traveled with their 12-year-old child to a relative’s home on Brook Ivy Court following an argument. Shortly after arrival, gunfire erupted inside the residence.
When officers responded to a 911 call placed courageously by the 12-year-old at approximately 2:30 a.m., they discovered a scene of profound loss. The victims—identified as Gourav Cumar, 33; Nidhi Chander, 37; and Harish Chander, 38, all of Lawrenceville, along with Meemu Dogra—were found deceased from gunshot wounds. All were related.
“These were families, gathered in what should have been a place of safety,” said Gwinnett County Police Chief, his voice heavy with emotion during a press briefing. “The trauma inflicted here, especially on the children, is beyond calculation.”
The most haunting detail to emerge is the survival of three children. Police confirmed that the 12-year-old who made the 911 call, along with two other children, ages 7 and 10, were found hiding together in a closet, having escaped direct physical harm. Kumar was apprehended nearby without incident and now faces a litany of charges, including four counts of malice murder and cruelty to children.
The case has shifted focus from the investigation—which authorities state is straightforward and domestic in nature—to the immense aftermath of care and support needed.
“The legal process will move forward, but our community’s duty is just beginning,” said Councilwoman Anaya Rivera. “These children have lost their parents, their guardians, their entire world in one night. We are mobilizing every resource available for their long-term care and counseling.”
A crisis response team from the Gwinnett County School District has been dispatched to support classmates and staff at the children’s schools, while local community centers and places of worship have opened their doors for grief counseling.
The Indian-American community, to which the families are believed to belong, is organizing privately to provide cultural and logistical support. A family spokesperson released a brief statement pleading for privacy and prayers: “Our families are shattered. We request space to grieve and to focus entirely on the well-being of the children, who are our absolute priority.”
As Kumar awaits his first court appearance, the street in Lawrenceville is marked by a growing memorial of flowers and candles—a silent testament to four lives lost and a stark reminder of the devastating reach of domestic violence. The true work of healing for three young survivors, and a community shaken to its core, is now underway.
Resources: The Gwinnett County Domestic Violence Task Force hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) are available for support.