Indian Dental Student Murdered at Texas Gas Station: Richard Florez Arrested in Fatal Shooting

Chandrashekar Pole traveled to the United States to pursue a master's degree in dental surgery in Texas.

Washington:

Law enforcement officials in the United States have apprehended the individual responsible for the murder of an Indian student from Hyderabad in Dallas, Texas, last week. According to authorities, 23-year-old Richard Florez allegedly shot 28-year-old Chandrashekar Pole while he was working his part-time shift, before fleeing the scene and later being captured by officers.

The shooting occurred at a Fort Worth gas station located on Eastchase Parkway on Friday night. Following the initial incident, suspect Florez, a resident of North Richland Hills, fired at another vehicle approximately a mile away without causing any injuries. He subsequently crashed into a gate while attempting to enter a nearby residence on Meadowbrook Drive, according to police reports.

Officers arrested Florez shortly thereafter and recovered a firearm from his vehicle.

"They also recovered a gun inside the vehicle at that scene... The suspect is currently in the hospital, but he has been booked for the homicide," stated Officer Brad Perez, a Fort Worth Police spokesperson, in comments to NBCDFW on Monday.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Pole's identity and reported that he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, and the motive behind the shooting has not yet been established.

The Consulate General of India in Houston confirmed they are in contact with the victim's family in Hyderabad to assist with repatriating his remains. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the repatriation process and to provide assistance to Pole's grieving family.

About Chandrashekar Pole: Pole had completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Hyderabad before moving to the US two years ago to pursue a Master of Science degree. According to his brother Damodar Pole, he had completed this degree six months ago and was seeking employment.

To support himself financially, Pole was working part-time at the gas station.

Indian-American Community Reacts: Numerous members of the Indian-American community and students have expressed shock regarding the killing, noting that the recent pattern of violence targeting Indian students in the US has created an atmosphere of fear and grief.

The incident has highlighted safety concerns for international students employed in part-time positions in the United States, particularly in roles that may expose them to risks during late hours.

Previous incidents involving Indian students in the US, including shootings and unexplained deaths, have emphasized safety concerns and the complexities associated with repatriation procedures.

In January of this year, a 26-year-old student from Telangana residing in Connecticut was allegedly shot dead by unidentified individuals, while another man from Ranga Reddy district was discovered deceased with bullet wounds in the US.

In September, a 30-year-old man from Mahabubnagar district died in California after allegedly being shot by police following an altercation with his roommate.