Texas man held for killing Indian student tragically.
Authorities said the investigation continues, and the tragic shooting’s motive remains unclear as detectives search for answers and justice.
In a tragic incident that has shaken the Indian-American community, a 23-year-old Texas man has been arrested for the fatal shooting of an Indian student at a Fort Worth gas station on Friday night. The victim, identified as Chandrashekar Pole, 28, was working a part-time shift at the gas station when he was allegedly shot dead by the suspect, Richard Florez, from North Richland Hills.
The shooting occurred on Eastchase Parkway, a busy area often frequented by late-night commuters. According to Fort Worth police, Florez fled the scene immediately after firing at Pole. In a disturbing turn of events, authorities said the suspect later opened fire on another vehicle about a mile away — though no one was injured in that second shooting. Shortly after, Florez reportedly crashed into a gate while attempting to enter a nearby residence on Meadowbrook Drive, where officers finally caught up with him.
Police recovered a firearm from Florez’s vehicle and took him into custody. “They also recovered a gun inside the vehicle at that scene,” said Officer Brad Perez, spokesperson for the Fort Worth Police Department.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Pole was pronounced dead at the scene. His death has left friends, classmates, and the larger Indian diaspora community heartbroken and anxious. Local authorities have said that while the suspect has been detained, the investigation is still ongoing, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
Officials also mentioned that a formal statement and further details are delayed due to a temporary local government shutdown, which has affected several administrative departments in Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
The Consulate General of India in Houston released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the killing and confirmed that they are in touch with Pole’s family in India to assist in the repatriation of his remains.
For many Indian students and young professionals living in the U.S., the incident has reignited fears over safety, particularly for those working late-night part-time jobs to support themselves while studying. Several members of the Indian-American community in Texas gathered over the weekend to honor Pole’s memory and demand stronger protections for international students.
A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched to help with the expenses of sending Chandrashekar’s remains back to India and to support his grieving family. Within hours of being posted, the fundraiser saw an outpouring of contributions and condolences from people across the U.S. and India.
Chandrashekar’s brother, Damodar Pole, spoke to reporters back home in Hyderabad, describing his younger brother as “hardworking, calm, and full of dreams.” Chandrashekar had completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Hyderabad before moving to the U.S.
“He completed his degree six months ago and was looking for a job,” Damodar said, his voice breaking. “He was doing part-time work at the gas station just to take care of himself until something permanent came along. He was so close to starting a new chapter in his life.”
The tragedy has once again brought to light the risks faced by international students in the United States — especially those taking up late-hour or isolated jobs to cover their living costs. Several recent cases have involved violence against Indian nationals, prompting renewed discussions about campus and community safety.
Earlier this year, in January, a 26-year-old student from Telangana was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Connecticut. In another incident, a man from Ranga Reddy district was found dead with bullet wounds, also in the U.S. And in September, a 30-year-old man from Mahabubnagar district died in California after allegedly being shot by police following a scuffle with his roommate.
These repeated tragedies have underscored the urgent need for better safety mechanisms for foreign students and workers, many of whom live far from their families and struggle to balance financial pressures with academic aspirations.
As the investigation into Chandrashekar’s killing continues, the Indian community in Texas is mourning one of its own — a young man who came to the United States with hope, ambition, and a dream for a better life, only to have it cut short by senseless violence.
For now, the questions remain unanswered — why it happened, what triggered it, and how such tragedies can be prevented in the future. But one thing is certain: Chandrashekar Pole’s death has left a deep scar on both sides of the ocean — in a quiet family home in Hyderabad and in the hearts of those who saw him chasing his American dream.