Mexican TikTok influencer César Gastélum has been shot dead while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in the northern city of Culiacán, marking another high-profile killing of a social media personality in Mexico.
The attack happened on Tuesday evening in the Tres Ríos district, where Gastélum was filming with two friends. According to local authorities, two men arrived on a motorcycle, and one of them opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene with his accomplice.
Gastélum, who had more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, was widely known for his comedy videos. His livestream ended abruptly after the shooting, leaving followers shocked as news of his death spread across social media.
The three men were wearing bright orange jackets and delivery bags commonly used by food delivery riders, leading officers to initially believe the victim was a delivery worker. Police later confirmed the victim was the popular content creator.
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Investigators have sealed off the area and are examining CCTV footage and spent bullet casings as part of the investigation. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not disclosed a possible motive.
Officials also said there is no immediate evidence that Gastélum had reported receiving threats before the attack.
On Instagram, Gastélum frequently shared photos of his travels, luxury cars and outings with friends. In one post, he was pictured visiting the grave of influencer Leobardo Aispuro, popularly known as “El Gordo Peruci,” who was shot dead in 2024 in a killing police linked to violence involving rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel.
The latest killing has renewed concerns over the safety of online personalities in Mexico. Last year, influencer Valeria Márquez was also shot dead while livestreaming from a beauty salon.
Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa state, has witnessed months of escalating violence following a power struggle between the Los Chapitos and La Mayiza factions of the Sinaloa cartel.
