Atlanta: An Indian national and three people of Indian-origin were shot dead after a family dispute in the Atlanta suburbs in the US state of Georgia on Friday. The shooter, also of Indian origin, has been arrested.
Three children of the family had a miraculous escape after they hid in a closer, NDTV has reported.
Among those dead was Indian national Meenu Dogra (43), and her relatives of Indian-origin Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37) and Harish Chander (38). The suspect is Meenu’s husband Vijay Kumar.
The police said that children were present when the shooting occurred at their home in Lawrenceville city. Three of them ran inside a closet to hide themselves from Kumar. One of them managed to dial 911.
The Gwinnett County Police said that the shooting occurred early Friday morning, around 2.30 am (local time). The local police responded to a cal
l in the 1000 block of Brook Ivy Court. When they arrived at the spot, they found the bodies of four adults with gunshot wounds in the home.
Three children who were present in the house had hidden themselves in a closet out of fear. It was a timely call to 911 by one of the children that alerted the cops. Based on information provided by the child, officers reached the spot within minutes.
A family member has now picked up the children and is taking care of them.
Kumar (51) has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault and four counts of felony murder, Fox5 Atlanta reported. He also faces charges under four counts of malice murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, and two counts of cruelty to children in the 3rd degree.
The Indian Consulate General in Atlanta confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and that they are extending all possible assistance to the family. Expressing grief, they shared details about the incident in an online post.
“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,” the Indian mission posted.