A popular Mexican TikTok creator was killed while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in the northern city of Culiacán, adding to growing concerns over violence targeting public figures and social media personalities in Mexico.
_x000D_César Gastélum shot dead during the live broadcast on Tuesday evening after two men arrived on a motorcycle. Witnesses said one of the suspects approached him and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene.
_x000D_Gastélum had built a large online following, attracting more than 500,000 TikTok followers through comedy videos and lifestyle content.
_x000D_ _x000D_César Gastélum Shot Dead During TikTok Broadcast
_x000D_Gastélum was livestreaming with two friends in the Tres RÃos district when the attack happened.
_x000D_The group wore bright orange jackets and delivery bags, which initially led investigators to believe the victim worked as a delivery driver. Authorities later confirmed that the victim was the well-known content creator César Gastélum.
_x000D_Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Gastélum died at the scene.
_x000D_ _x000D_Police Launch Murder Investigation
_x000D_Police sealed off the area while forensic teams collected evidence.
_x000D_Investigators examined bullet casings and reviewed nearby security camera footage to identify the attackers. Authorities said the two suspects escaped on a motorcycle immediately after the shooting.
_x000D_No arrests have been announced, and officials have not confirmed a motive. Investigators also said they have found no evidence that Gastélum had reported receiving threats before the attack.
_x000D_ _x000D_Influencers Continue Facing Deadly Violence
_x000D_The killing is the latest attack involving a Mexican social media personality.
_x000D_Last year, influencer Valeria Márquez was also shot and killed while livestreaming from a beauty salon, shocking audiences across the country.
_x000D_Gastélum frequently shared photos of luxury cars, travel and nightlife on Instagram. In one post, he appeared at the grave of influencer Leobardo “El Gordo Peruci” Aispuro, who was killed in 2024. Authorities previously linked that case to the ongoing conflict between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel.
_x000D_ _x000D_Violence Remains High in Culiacán
_x000D_Culiacán has experienced escalating violence since rival Sinaloa cartel factions, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, began fighting for control in September 2024.
_x000D_ The conflict has triggered a wave of shootings, kidnappings and murders across the region. Security officials continue investigating whether Gastélum’s killing has any connection to the broader violence, although no evidence has yet been made public.
