A 27-year-old Indian student, Chandrashekar Pole, from Hyderabad, was fatally shot while working at a gas station in Denton, Texas. The incident occurred late on Friday night, and the US Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the tragic news.
Chandrashekar was working the overnight shift alone at the gas station when an unidentified gunman opened fire. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities are currently investigating the incident. A local police spokesperson described the event as a "devastating loss for the family and the community".
Born on April 4, 1997, Chandrashekar was remembered by friends and classmates as a diligent and industrious student with significant ambitions in his field of study. He had moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue a postgraduate course in Data Analytics at the University of North Texas, Dallas. Before moving to the US, he completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in Hyderabad. His relocation to the US was seen as a crucial step toward achieving his academic and professional aspirations.
Chandrashekar's death has sent shockwaves through the Indian community in Texas and his hometown in Hyderabad. News of the tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and support for his family. The family is now seeking assistance to repatriate Chandrashekar's remains to India.
Consul General D.C. Manjunath expressed his condolences to Chandrashekar's family and affirmed the consulate's commitment to providing all possible assistance. This includes working with Indian associations to ensure the swift repatriation of his body, following the completion of necessary procedures such as the autopsy and death certificate.
This is not an isolated incident. In November 2024, Sai Teja Nukarapu, a 22-year-old from Telangana, was also fatally shot at a gas station near Chicago. Similarly, in June 2024, Dasari Gopikrishna, 32, an Indian student from Andhra Pradesh, was killed in a robbery at a convenience store in Dallas. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Indian students working part-time jobs in the US.
