Mexican influencer killed during social media livestream

Mexican social media influencer Cesar Gastelum was shot and killed on Tuesday while livestreaming with friends outside a fast-food restaurant in the northwestern city of Culiacán. Local authorities confirmed the death of Gastelum, known for his humorous videos and boasting approximately 600,000 followers on TikTok.

The fatal incident was captured on the livestream, showing two individuals on a motorcycle approaching Gastelum. The passenger on the motorcycle then fired directly at the influencer. A security official from the state of Sinaloa confirmed Gastelum's death and stated that a major security operation is underway in response.

Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa, has been a focal point of persistent violence, often serving as a battleground for rival organized crime factions vying for control of drug trafficking routes. This latest killing echoes the tragic murder of another Mexican influencer, Valeria Marquez, in May 2025. Marquez was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream inside a salon in Zapopan, Jalisco, by a man who entered the establishment and opened fire.