Indian Dental Student Chandrashekar Pole Shot Dead at Dallas Gas Station: Family Seeks Repatriation Assistance

Chandrashekar Pole was pursuing a master's degree in dental surgery in Texas.

Hyderabad:

A 27-year-old Indian student has been reportedly shot dead in Dallas, US. Chandrashekar Pole, originally from Hyderabad, was working his night shift at a gas station when an unidentified assailant fatally shot him, according to his family. They are now appealing to government authorities to assist in repatriating his remains from the United States.

Pole relocated to the United States in 2023 to pursue higher education after completing his bachelor's degree in dental surgery in Hyderabad. Having finished his master's program six months prior, he was seeking full-time employment while supporting himself through part-time work at the gas station.

"We received the devastating news from his friend's parents who visited to share our grief. We urge both central and state governments to enhance safety measures for Indians abroad and facilitate the swift return of my son's remains," Pole's mother Sunitha informed ANI news agency.

The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Houston, which has jurisdiction over Texas, confirmed they have established contact with Pole's family and are following the investigation with local authorities.

"Consulate General of India, Houston, deeply condoles the tragic death of Mr Chandrasekhar Pole, an Indian student from Hyderabad, who was killed in a shooting incident Denton, Texas. We are in touch with the family and extending all possible assistance. Local authorities are investigating the incident, and we are following up closely with them," the consulate stated.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy pledged complete support to the bereaved family for repatriating their son's remains. "The death of Pole Chandrasekhar, a student from LB Nagar, in a shooting incident by miscreants in the US has caused deep shock and grief. I pray to God that his soul may find peace, and express my profound condolences to his family members," Reddy expressed.

"The government will stand by Chandrasekhar's family. We will provide all possible assistance to bring his mortal remains back to his hometown," the Chief Minister further assured.

According to reports, the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office has yet to issue the death certificate required to initiate the repatriation process.

BRS MLA Sudhir Reddy and former minister T Harish Rao visited the student's residence in Hyderabad to meet with his family on Saturday.

"The pain that the parents are going through, knowing that their son, who they believed would reach great heights, is no more, is heart-wrenching to witness," Rao stated in an online post, offering condolences. "We, on behalf of BRS, demand that the state government take initiative and make efforts to bring Chandra Shekhar's mortal remains to his hometown as quickly as possible."

This incident in Dallas has reignited concerns regarding the safety of international students working part-time jobs in the United States, particularly those working late-night shifts.

Earlier this year in January, another 26-year-old student from Telangana was fatally shot by unidentified individuals in Connecticut. A man from Ranga Reddy was also discovered dead with gunshot wounds in the US earlier this year. Last month, California police shot and killed a 30-year-old tech professional from Mahabubnagar district after he allegedly stabbed his roommate.