VOIWORLD
In a tragic incident that has shocked the Indian community abroad, a 25-year-old student from Hyderabad was shot dead while working at a gas station in Texas, United States. The victim, Chandrashekar Pole, was a student at the University of North Texas and had moved to the US in 2023 to pursue higher education.
According to reports, Pole was working a part-time shift at a gas filling station in Delton, Dallas, when unidentified assailants opened fire late Friday night. He was fatally wounded in the attack, which police believe was carried out by a person of African-American origin. Investigations are currently underway to determine the motive behind the shooting.
A Promising Student’s Life Cut Short
Before moving to the United States, Pole completed his Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery (BDS) in Hyderabad. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of North Texas just six months ago and had been actively seeking a full-time job in his field. To support himself financially, he was working part-time at the gas station where the tragic incident occurred.
Pole’s family, residing in LB Nagar, Hyderabad, has been devastated by the news. They have urged the Government of India and the Telangana state government to help bring back their son’s mortal remains from the US.
Leaders Express Condolences
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “a painful and shocking loss.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“The death of Pole Chandrashekar, a student from LB Nagar, in a shooting incident by miscreants in America has caused deep shock and grief. I pray to God that his soul may rest in peace and express my heartfelt condolences to his family. The government will stand by Chandrashekar’s family and ensure all assistance to bring his mortal remains home.”
Senior leaders from the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS), including MLA Sudhir Reddy and former Minister T. Harish Rao, visited the bereaved family in Hyderabad. Harish Rao described the loss as “heart-wrenching” and urged the government to expedite the repatriation process.
“It is tragic that Chandra Shekar Pole, a Dalit student from LB Nagar who completed BDS and went to Dallas for higher studies, died in a shooting carried out by miscreants,” Rao said. “We demand that the state government take swift action to bring his remains back to India and extend all possible support to the grieving family.”
Community in Mourning
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of Indian students and professionals in the United States. Members of the Indian diaspora in Texas have offered condolences and assistance to Pole’s family, while student organizations have reached out to local authorities seeking justice.
This tragic case follows a recent incident in Santa Clara, California, where another Telangana-origin man, Mohammed Nizamuddin, was shot dead by police on September 3 after a reported scuffle with his roommate. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said it remains in close touch with US authorities and both victims’ families, promising to extend all necessary consular support.
A Life Remembered
Friends and peers remember Chandrashekar Pole as a hardworking, optimistic young man who aspired to build a successful career in healthcare. “He was determined to make his family proud,” said one classmate from Hyderabad. “It’s devastating that his life ended this way, so far from home.”
As the investigation continues, both Indian and US authorities are expected to coordinate efforts to ensure justice for the victim and provide closure to his family.
