Mexican TikTok star shot dead during livestream amid cartel violence
Culiacán, Mexico – A popular Mexican social media influencer was shot and killed while broadcasting live on TikTok, in an incident that underscores the escalating violence in the northern state of Sinaloa.
César Gastélum, who amassed over half a million followers on the platform for his comedy videos, was filming with two friends outside a fast food restaurant in the Tres Ríos neighbourhood of Culiacán on Tuesday evening. Two men on a motorbike approached the group, and one of them fired at Gastélum at close range, according to local authorities.
The 30-year-old influencer and his companions were wearing bright orange coats and bags commonly used by delivery drivers. Initial reports led police to believe the victim was a delivery worker, but officials later confirmed his identity.
Police and forensic teams cordoned off the area, collecting cartridge casings and reviewing CCTV footage for clues. No arrests have been made so far, and the assailants fled the scene after the shooting.
It remains unclear whether Gastélum had received any threats prior to the attack. His Instagram account featured pictures of his travels, nights out, and luxury cars. In one post, he was seen at the grave of another influencer, Leobardo Aispuro, known as “El Gordo Peruci,” who was shot dead in December 2024.
Police had said Aispuro's killing may have been linked to a rivalry between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel – Los Chapitos and La Mayiza. Since their split in September 2024, violence in Sinaloa has spiralled, with Culiacán, the state capital, becoming a flashpoint for clashes, abductions, and killings.
This is not the first time a social media personality has been killed in Mexico while livestreaming. In 2024, 23-year-old Valeria Márquez was shot dead at a beauty salon during a TikTok broadcast. The frequency of such incidents has raised concerns about the safety of content creators in regions affected by organised crime.
Mexican authorities have not yet commented on whether Gastélum's killing is directly connected to the cartel conflict, and investigations are ongoing. The case adds to a growing list of violent deaths in Sinaloa, where civilians and public figures have been caught in the crossfire of drug-related turf wars.
The federal government has faced criticism over its handling of security in the region, with local communities demanding greater protection. Meanwhile, residents of Culiacán continue to live under the shadow of uncertainty, as the state grapples with one of the worst waves of violence in recent memory.
