Who is Chandrashekar Pole? Indian Student Killed in Texas Gas Station Shooting

A tragic shooting took place in Denton, Texas. Chandrashekar Pole, a 28-year-old student from Hyderabad, was shot dead while working a night shift at a gas station. The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed the incident, saying an unidentified gunman opened fire inside the store.

The police are still investigating, and the reason behind the attack remains unknown. Local officials described the case as “devastating” and expressed shock over the loss.

Family’s Pain and Political Support

Back home in Hyderabad, Chandrashekar’s family is facing unbearable grief. BRS MLA Sudhir Reddy and former minister T. Harish Rao visited the student’s house to console his parents. Harish Rao also shared his condolences online, calling the killing tragic and urging the government to speed up repatriation of the body.

“The pain that the parents are enduring is heart-wrenching,” Harish Rao said.

The family has requested the Indian and Telangana governments to take quick action to bring Chandrashekar’s remains back to Hyderabad.

Who Was Chandrashekar Pole?

• Date of Birth: April 4, 1997

• Hometown: LB Nagar, Hyderabad

• Education in India: Completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

• Moved to US: 2023

• Course: Postgraduate in Data Analytics at the University of North Texas, Dallas

Friends remember him as hardworking, focused, and determined to build a successful career. His move to the United States was seen as a first step toward achieving his dreams.

Debate on Safety of International Students

This killing has raised new concerns about the safety of international students in the US. Many young Indians work night shifts in gas stations and convenience stores, which are often targets of armed robberies.

Experts say better workplace security, surveillance, and safety training are urgently needed to prevent such tragedies in the future. Police also urged students and workers to remain alert, especially when working overnight shifts.