Fort Worth, Texas, October 5, 2025
News Summary
Chandrashekar Pole, a 28-year-old student from Hyderabad, was shot and killed while working at a gas station in Fort Worth, Texas, during a robbery. Authorities arrested 23-year-old Richard Florez, who faces murder charges. The victim’s family is seeking assistance to repatriate his body to India. This incident raises concerns about safety among international students in the area.
Fort Worth — Chandrashekar Pole, a 28-year-old student from Hyderabad, India, was shot and killed on Friday night while working at a gas station in Fort Worth, Texas. The shooting occurred at the Fort Worth Express gas station on Eastchase Parkway around 8:45 p.m. during a reported robbery. A suspect has been arrested and charged, authorities say, and the victim’s family is seeking help to return his body to India.
What happened
The most critical facts are that the victim, Chandrashekar Pole, died at the scene after the reported robbery at the gas station. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Richard Florez from North Richland Hills, was arrested and faces murder charges. After fleeing the gas station, the suspect allegedly fired several shots at an occupied vehicle about a mile away; no one in that vehicle was injured. Authorities later found a firearm in the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect attempted to enter a home in the 8500 block of Meadowbrook Drive, where police apprehended him. He was treated for unspecified injuries before being taken into custody.
Immediate details
- Victim: Chandrashekar Pole, 28, student from Hyderabad, India.
- Location: Fort Worth Express gas station on Eastchase Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas.
- Time: Around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night.
- Suspect: 23-year-old Richard Florez of North Richland Hills, arrested and charged with murder.
- Aftermath: Suspect fired at an occupied vehicle about a mile away (no injuries), attempted to enter a home in the 8500 block of Meadowbrook Drive, firearm recovered from suspect’s vehicle, suspect treated for unspecified injuries.
Victim background
Chandrashekar Pole had moved to the United States in 2023 to study. He was enrolled at the University of North Texas, pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics. Before moving, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery in Hyderabad. Pole also worked part-time as a Senior Data Analyst at GEICO and had previous work experience with American Express and Hitachi Energy in India.
Family, consular contact and local support
Pole’s family is requesting government assistance to repatriate his body back to Hyderabad. The Indian Consulate General in Houston is in contact with Pole’s family and is following up on the investigation. The Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has promised support to the Pole family regarding the repatriation process. Former Minister T. Harish Rao visited Pole’s family in Hyderabad to express condolences and support.
Context and local reaction
The shooting involving Pole is among three homicides investigated by Fort Worth police on the same day, a sequence of incidents that has raised concerns about safety in the local community and among international students. Local law enforcement continues to investigate the incident, and authorities have not released further details beyond the arrest and the immediate sequence of events described above.
Next steps in the case
Investigators are expected to process evidence, complete interviews, and follow standard legal procedures as the case moves through the criminal justice system. The family’s request for assistance with repatriation is being handled through consular and state channels.
Key facts
- Chandrashekar Pole, a 28-year-old student from Hyderabad, India, was shot and killed on Friday night while working at a gas station in Fort Worth, Texas.
- The shooting occurred at the Fort Worth Express gas station on Eastchase Parkway around 8:45 p.m. during a reported robbery.
- Pole was a student at the University of North Texas, pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics after moving to the U.S. in 2023.
- Prior to relocating, Pole completed his Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery in Hyderabad.
- He was also employed as a Senior Data Analyst at GEICO part-time and had previously worked with American Express and Hitachi Energy in India.
- The suspect in the shooting, identified as 23-year-old Richard Florez from North Richland Hills, has been arrested and faces murder charges.
- Florez allegedly fired several shots at an occupied vehicle about a mile away from the gas station after fleeing the crime scene, but no one in the vehicle was injured.
- Following the shooting, Florez attempted to enter a home in the 8500 block of Meadowbrook Drive and was apprehended by police at the location.
- A firearm was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, and he was treated for unspecified injuries before being taken into custody.
- Chandrashekar Pole’s family is requesting government assistance to repatriate his body back to Hyderabad.
- The Indian Consulate General in Houston is in contact with Pole’s family and is following up on the investigation.
- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has promised support to the Pole family regarding the repatriation process.
- The shooting involving Pole is among three homicides investigated by Fort Worth police on the same day, which heightened concerns over the safety of international students in the U.S.
- Former Minister T. Harish Rao visited Pole’s family in Hyderabad to express condolences and support.
How to follow updates
Authorities will release further information as investigations progress. Consular and family channels are coordinating on repatriation and related support. Legal proceedings will follow standard criminal case timelines once charges are filed and processed.
FAQ
Who was Chandrashekar Pole?
Chandrashekar Pole, a 28-year-old student from Hyderabad, India, was shot and killed on Friday night while working at a gas station in Fort Worth, Texas.
Where did the shooting occur?
The shooting occurred at the Fort Worth Express gas station on Eastchase Parkway around 8:45 p.m. during a reported robbery.
What was Pole studying and where?
Pole was a student at the University of North Texas, pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Analytics after moving to the U.S. in 2023.
What was Pole’s prior education?
Prior to relocating, Pole completed his Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery in Hyderabad.
Where did Pole work?
He was also employed as a Senior Data Analyst at GEICO part-time and had previously worked with American Express and Hitachi Energy in India.
Who is the suspect and what charges does he face?
The suspect in the shooting, identified as 23-year-old Richard Florez from North Richland Hills, has been arrested and faces murder charges.
Did the suspect fire at anyone else?
Florez allegedly fired several shots at an occupied vehicle about a mile away from the gas station after fleeing the crime scene, but no one in the vehicle was injured.
How was the suspect captured?
Following the shooting, Florez attempted to enter a home in the 8500 block of Meadowbrook Drive and was apprehended by police at the location.
Was a weapon recovered?
A firearm was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, and he was treated for unspecified injuries before being taken into custody.
Is the family seeking help from the government?
Chandrashekar Pole’s family is requesting government assistance to repatriate his body back to Hyderabad.
Is any consular office involved?
The Indian Consulate General in Houston is in contact with Pole’s family and is following up on the investigation.
Has any state official offered support?
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has promised support to the Pole family regarding the repatriation process.
Was this incident part of a larger set of crimes that day?
The shooting involving Pole is among three homicides investigated by Fort Worth police on the same day, which heightened concerns over the safety of international students in the U.S.
Did any local leaders visit the family?
Former Minister T. Harish Rao visited Pole’s family in Hyderabad to express condolences and support.
Summary table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Chandrashekar Pole, 28, student from Hyderabad, India |
| Location | Fort Worth Express gas station on Eastchase Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas |
| Time | Around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night |
| Suspect | 23-year-old Richard Florez from North Richland Hills — arrested and faces murder charges |
| Related incidents | Suspect allegedly fired at an occupied vehicle about a mile away; no injuries. Suspect attempted to enter a home in the 8500 block of Meadowbrook Drive and was apprehended. Firearm recovered; suspect treated for unspecified injuries. |
| Education & work | Student at the University of North Texas (Master’s in Data Analytics); Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery from Hyderabad; part-time Senior Data Analyst at GEICO; previous roles at American Express and Hitachi Energy in India |
| Consular & government response | Indian Consulate General in Houston in contact with family; family requesting government assistance to repatriate body; Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy promised support; Former Minister T. Harish Rao visited family |
| Wider context | The shooting involving Pole is among three homicides investigated by Fort Worth police on the same day, which heightened concerns over the safety of international students in the U.S. |
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Additional Resources
- New York Times: Texas Shooting Involving Children
- Star-Telegram: Details on Fort Worth Gas Station Shooting
- NDTV: Indian Student Shot Dead at Gas Station
- Wikipedia: Crime in the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violent Crime
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