Hyderabad Student Shot Dead at Texas Gas Station

Denton, Texas - Pole Chandrashekar, a 27-year-old Indian student from Hyderabad, was fatally shot on Friday night while working at a gas station in Denton, Texas. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted swift responses from Indian government officials.

Chandrashekar was a student who had come to the United States to pursue his Master's degree. He had completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in Hyderabad before moving to the U.S. for further studies. He was currently enrolled in a Master's program in Data Analytics at the University of North Texas, Dallas. To support himself while studying, he worked part-time at a gas station. He had also been employed with GEICO as a senior data analyst since August of last year.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation. Initial reports suggest that robbers opened fire during a hold-up at the gas station, fatally wounding Chandrashekar. Police in Denton have not yet released further details about the suspects or the motive for the shooting.

News of Chandrashekar's death reached his family in Hyderabad on Saturday afternoon, leaving them devastated. His brother, Damodar, expressed the family's grief, noting that their father had passed away four years ago and that their mother is heartbroken. Shivakumar, a family friend, explained that the gas station manager identified Chandrashekar's body using his passport. The family is appealing to the Ministry of External Affairs to help repatriate his body to India and are eager to learn more about the circumstances of the attack.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed his condolences to the family. He assured that the government would provide all possible assistance to bring Chandrashekar's remains back to Hyderabad. BRS MLA Sudhir Reddy and former minister T. Harish Rao visited Chandrashekar's family to offer their support. Harish Rao also urged the Telangana government to take immediate action to repatriate Chandrashekar's body. The Consulate General of India in Houston is in contact with the family and is providing assistance.

The tragic death of Chandrashekar Pole highlights the risks faced by Indian students studying abroad. According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs, 842 Indian students have died overseas between 2018 and 2024, with the United States leading in the number of deaths. While most of these deaths were due to medical causes, suicides, and accidents, Chandrashekar's case underscores the threat of violence. This data calls for action from policymakers, universities, and families to improve student safety and support.