Mexican social media influencer César Gastélum has been shot dead while livestreaming with friends outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacán, the capital of Mexico’s Sinaloa State.
The fatal attack occurred on Tuesday evening in the Tres Ríos district, where Gastélum was reportedly broadcasting live with two companions when two men arrived on a motorcycle. According to local authorities, one of the assailants opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene with his accomplice.
Gastélum, who had amassed more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, was widely known for his comedy content and entertaining videos.
Initial police reports suggested the victim was a food delivery rider because he and his friends were dressed in bright orange jackets and carrying delivery-style bags. However, investigators later confirmed his identity as the popular content creator.
Security personnel and forensic experts sealed off the area after the shooting, collecting spent ammunition casings and reviewing CCTV footage as part of an ongoing investigation. No arrests had been made as of the time of reporting.
Authorities have not indicated whether Gastélum had received threats before the attack.
Beyond TikTok, Gastélum regularly shared glimpses of his lifestyle on Instagram, posting photos of luxury cars, travel and social outings. One of his posts also showed him visiting the grave of fellow influencer Leobardo Aispuro, popularly known as “El Gordo Peruci,” who was killed in December 2024 in a case investigators linked to the rivalry between factions of the Sinaloa cartel.
Gastélum’s killing adds to a growing list of attacks targeting social media personalities in Mexico. In 2025, 23-year-old influencer Valeria Márquez was also shot and killed while livestreaming from a beauty salon on TikTok.
The latest incident comes amid worsening violence in Sinaloa, where clashes between the rival Los Chapitos and La Mayiza factions of the Sinaloa cartel have intensified since September 2024, fuelling a wave of deadly attacks across the state.
