Dallas, Texas — In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora in America, 28-year-old Chandrashekar Pole from Hyderabad was shot dead at a Fort Worth gas station on October 4, 2025, while working a part-time night shift.
The University of North Texas graduate, who had completed his master's degree six months prior and was searching for full-time employment, became the latest Indian student to fall victim to violence in the United States.
Authorities arrested 23-year-old Richard Florez shortly after the incident, recovering a firearm from his vehicle.
Key Facts
• Chandrashekar Pole, 28, from Hyderabad, was fatally shot at a Fort Worth gas station on Eastchase Parkway on Friday, October 4, 2025, while working part-time
• Richard Florez, 23, was arrested and charged with homicide; he fled the scene, fired at another vehicle a mile away, and crashed into a gate before police apprehended him
• The incident marks the latest in a troubling pattern of violence targeting Indian students in the US, following similar incidents in Connecticut and California earlier in 2025
Pole had moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue higher education after completing his bachelor's degree in dental surgery in Hyderabad. He was a dedicated student who successfully earned his master's degree just six months before the tragedy struck.
On that fateful Friday night, Pole was working his part-time shift at the gas station when the shooting occurred at the Fort Worth location on Eastchase Parkway. The incident shocked both the Indian community and local residents who had come to know the hardworking young man.
After shooting Pole, Florez fled the scene and fired at another vehicle approximately a mile away, though no one was injured in that incident. Police later found Florez after he crashed into a gate while attempting to enter a residence on Meadowbrook Drive, and officers arrested him shortly thereafter.
Law enforcement recovered a firearm from Florez's vehicle at the scene of his arrest. He was transported to the hospital but has since been booked for homicide charges, with his investigation ongoing and the motive still under investigation.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office officially confirmed Pole's identity and pronounced him dead at the scene. The Consulate General of India in Houston has been actively assisting Pole's family with the repatriation of his remains to India.
The tragedy has sparked conversations within the Indian-American community about safety concerns for international students working part-time jobs, particularly during late-night shifts in positions that may expose them to risks. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the repatriation of Pole's remains and to assist his grieving family during this difficult time.
According to a Fort Worth Police spokesperson,
The loss of Chandrashekar Pole represents another heartbreaking chapter in what many describe as an alarming pattern of violence affecting Indian students in America. As investigations continue, the Indian government and community organizations are calling for greater attention to the safety and security of international students pursuing education in the United States.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains active, and more details about the motive and circumstances may emerge as the legal process unfolds.
Do You Know?
In January 2025, just nine months before Pole's death, a 26-year-old student from Telangana was shot dead in Connecticut by unidentified persons, and another man from Ranga Reddy district was found dead with bullet wounds in the US, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence affecting Indian nationals and students abroad.
Key Terms
• Homicide: The act of one person killing another; in legal terms, it can range from murder to manslaughter depending on circumstances
• Repatriation: The process of returning a person's remains to their home country
• International Student: A student from a foreign country studying in the US on a student visa, typically pursuing higher education
• Part-time Shift: Employment lasting fewer hours than a standard full-time job, often worked by students to earn income while studying
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