On the morning of October 3, 2025, tragedy struck the Telugu community both in India and abroad, as news emerged that Pole Chandrasekhar, a promising young dental doctor from Hyderabad’s LB Nagar, was shot dead while working at a gas station in Denton, Texas, United States. The incident, which unfolded during what should have been an ordinary work shift, has left family, friends, and the wider Telangana diaspora in deep mourning and sparked renewed concerns about the safety of Indian students and professionals pursuing their dreams overseas.
Chandrasekhar, who had completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in Hyderabad in 2023, had moved to the United States two years ago with hopes of furthering his education and building a brighter future. According to his brother Damodar, Chandrasekhar had recently finished his Master’s degree (MS) six months prior to the shooting and was actively seeking a full-time position. In the meantime, he was working part-time at the gas station where the fatal shooting occurred and also held a part-time role as a senior data analyst with GEICO since August 2024, as per his professional social media profiles.
The details surrounding the shooting remain under investigation by Dallas-area authorities, with the motive for the attack yet to be confirmed. Local media reports indicate that the assailant had come to the station for refueling before opening fire on Chandrasekhar. The Consulate General of India in Houston has confirmed that they are closely monitoring the case and providing all possible assistance to the bereaved family. "We are in touch with the family and extending all possible assistance. Local authorities are investigating the incident, and we are following up closely with them," the Consulate stated, as reported by multiple outlets.
The impact of Chandrasekhar’s death has been felt deeply in his home community of LB Nagar in Hyderabad. Former Minister Harish Rao and local MLA Sudheer Reddy visited the family in BN Reddy Nagar to offer their condolences and support. Rao, visibly moved by the grief of Chandrasekhar’s parents, remarked, "It is extremely heartbreaking to see the parents' grief. Their son, who had immense potential and was expected to achieve great heights, is no more." He also made a heartfelt appeal to the government to ensure that Chandrasekhar’s body is brought back to Hyderabad without delay so that his family can perform his last rites in accordance with their traditions.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy echoed these sentiments, expressing his shock over the incident and conveying his sympathies to the family. The Chief Minister’s Office has been instructed to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite the repatriation of Chandrasekhar’s remains. "It is tragic that Chandrasekhar Pole, a Dalit student from LB Nagar who completed BDS and went to America (Dallas) for higher studies, died in a shooting carried out by miscreants," Harish Rao posted on X, underlining the sense of loss felt by the entire community.
Friends and neighbors of Chandrasekhar described him as a bright, hardworking, and ambitious young man who was determined to make a mark in his chosen field. His academic achievements—completing a BDS in Hyderabad, pursuing an MS in the United States, and securing a working visa—were sources of pride for his family. Yet, behind these accomplishments lay a family that had already endured significant hardship: Damodar, Chandrasekhar’s brother, revealed that their mother is in a state of shock and that they lost their father just four years ago. "Our mother is in a state of shock. We lost our father four years ago," Damodar shared, highlighting the depth of the family’s grief.
The tragedy has also reignited anxieties among Indian students and their families regarding the risks associated with studying and working abroad, particularly in the United States. This incident is not isolated—earlier in 2025, a 26-year-old student from Telangana living in Connecticut was allegedly shot dead by unidentified persons, and another man from Ranga Reddy district was found dead with bullet wounds in the US. In September, a 30-year-old man from Mahbubnagar district died in California after being shot by police following a confrontation. These cases, referenced in coverage by local Hyderabad media, have contributed to a growing sense of unease among those considering overseas education and employment opportunities.
Authorities in Hyderabad have responded by reassuring the public that they are in close contact with the Indian consulate in the US and are making every effort to support Chandrasekhar’s family during this difficult time. The hope is that the swift repatriation of his body and the ongoing investigation in Dallas will provide some measure of comfort to his loved ones, even as they struggle to come to terms with their loss.
Community leaders and public officials have called for greater protections for international students and workers, and for more robust collaboration between Indian and US authorities to address the root causes of such violence. While the investigation continues and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, there is a shared determination among Chandrasekhar’s supporters to ensure that his death is not forgotten and that steps are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The loss of Pole Chandrasekhar is not just a personal tragedy for his family and friends—it is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by young people who travel abroad in search of better prospects. As the Telangana community mourns, there is a renewed call for vigilance, solidarity, and action to safeguard the dreams and lives of those who dare to pursue opportunities far from home.
The coming days will be crucial, as Dallas authorities continue their investigation and the process of bringing Chandrasekhar’s body back to Hyderabad unfolds. For now, his memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew him, a testament to his ambition, resilience, and the enduring bonds of family and community that stretch across continents.
