Texas man arrested for shooting Indian student at Dallas gas station

US authorities have arrested 23-year-old Richard Florez in connection with the fatal shooting of Indian student Chandrashekar Pole at a Dallas gas station last week. Florez allegedly opened fire on Pole, 28, while he was working a part-time shift at a gas station on Eastchase Parkway, before fleeing the scene.

Pole, a native of LB Nagar, Hyderabad, had moved to Dallas to pursue higher studies after completing his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). He supported himself by working at the gas station and had previously worked as a data analyst at American Express in Chennai (2021–2023) and as a programmer analyst at Hitachi Energy in Bengaluru (2020–2021).

The incident has drawn widespread grief from Telangana leaders. Former minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao described it as a “heartbreaking loss” and visited the family in Hyderabad to offer condolences, urging the state government to ensure Pole’s body is brought back home for last rites.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed sorrow over the incident and assured full government support to the bereaved family. The Consulate General of India in Houston confirmed it is closely coordinating with local authorities and Pole’s family, providing assistance for repatriation of the body.

Friends and colleagues remember Pole as a dedicated student and professional whose promising life was tragically cut short in an unprovoked act of violence.