Hyderabad Student Shot Dead While Working at Gas Station in Texas

In a tragic incident, 28-year-old Pole Chandrashekar, a student from Hyderabad pursuing a Master's degree in the United States, was shot dead during a robbery at a gas station in Denton, Texas, on the night of October 3, 2025.

Chandrashekar, a resident of L.B. Nagar in Hyderabad, had gone to the U.S. to pursue a Master’s degree in Data Analytics at the University of North Texas, Dallas. Originally trained as a dentist, he completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) before switching fields to advance his education abroad.

According to his professional profile, Chandrashekar was working part-time as a Senior Data Analyst at GEICO since August 2024. He had also previously worked as a Data Analyst with American Express in Chennai (2021–2023) and as a Programmer Analyst with Hitachi Energy in Bengaluru (2020–2021).

The incident occurred while he was working a part-time job at a local gas station in Denton. Police reports indicate that robbers opened fire during a suspected armed robbery, fatally injuring Chandrashekar. An investigation is currently underway.

Efforts are being made to complete the formalities for the repatriation of his body to Hyderabad.

Reacting to the tragedy, BRS MLA and former minister T. Harish Rao visited the grieving family and expressed condolences. He stated on social media:

“It is tragic that Chandra Shekhar Pole, a Dalit student from Hyderabad who completed BDS and went to Dallas for higher studies, was killed in a shooting by miscreants. We urge the Telangana government to expedite the process of bringing his mortal remains home.”

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also expressed deep grief and assured that the State government will provide all necessary assistance to bring back Chandrashekar’s body and extend support to the bereaved family.

This incident has sparked widespread concern among the Indian student community in the U.S., once again highlighting the risks faced by international students working part-time jobs.