A 23-year-old Texas man is behind bars after allegedly gunning down a 28-year-old Indian graduate student at a Fort Worth gas station, sending shockwaves through the local Indian-American community. The suspect, Richard Florez of North Richland Hills, is accused of killing Chandrashekar Pole during a Friday night shift, then leading police on a chaotic chase involving gunfire and a failed home break-in.
The horrific incident unfolded at the Fort Worth Express on Eastchase Parkway around 8:45 p.m. Pole, who earned a dental surgery degree in Hyderabad before pursuing a Master’s in Data Analytics at the University of North Texas, was working part-time to support himself while job hunting. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Florez, after the shooting, allegedly fired at another vehicle a mile away, causing no injuries, then crashed into a gate on Meadowbrook Drive trying to force entry into a home. Police arrested him shortly after, recovering a firearm from his vehicle. He faces murder charges and is hospitalized with minor injuries.
The motive remains unclear as the investigation continues, slowed by a local government shutdown delaying official statements. The Indian Consulate in Houston is assisting Pole’s family with repatriating his remains to Hyderabad, where his grieving brother, Damodar, described him as a driven student chasing the American Dream after completing his degree six months ago. A GoFundMe campaign is raising funds to support the family and cover repatriation costs.
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The killing has reignited fears among Indian students in the U.S., with many citing recent violent incidents, including shootings and unexplained deaths. Community members expressed outrage and anxiety, highlighting the risks international students face in late-night jobs. Advocates are now pushing for better protections for those in vulnerable work settings, as the tragedy underscores the dangers lurking for those pursuing education abroad. Pole’s death leaves a grieving community demanding answers and justice.
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