Indian Dental Student, Working Part-Time At US Gas Station, Shot Dead

A 27-year-old Indian student has reportedly been shot dead in Dallas, US. Chandrashekar Pole, who was from Hyderabad, was working at a gas station Friday night when he was killed by an unidentified gunman, his family said, urging the government to help bring his body back from the US.

Pole had moved to the US in 2023 for higher studies after finishing his bachelor's in dental surgery back in Hyderabad. He completed his master's degree in the US six months ago and had been looking for a full-time placement while working part-time at the gas station.

The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Houston, which oversees Texas, said it is in touch with Pole's family and following up on the probe into his death with the 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," it said.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy assured all help to the grieving family in the repatriation of their son's body. "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," said Reddy.

"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 added.

Reports suggest the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office is yet to issue a death certificate, which is necessary to initiate the repatriation process.

BRS MLA Sudhir Reddy and former minister T Harish Rao visited the student's home in Hyderabad and met 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 said in an online post, extending condolences to the family. "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."

The Dallas incident has renewed focus on the safety concerns of international students working part-time jobs in the US, especially those working late hours.

Earlier in January, a 26-year-old student from Telangana was shot dead by unidentified persons in Connecticut, US. Another man from Ranga Reddy was found dead with bullet wounds in the US earlier this year. Last month, a 30-year-old techie from Mahabubnagar district was shot dead by the police in California after he allegedly stabbed his roommate.