Mexican influencer César Gastélum was killed while livestreaming on TikTok in Culiacán, as police investigate a motorbike attack.
Mexican influencer César Gastélum was shot dead while livestreaming on TikTok in the northern city of Culiacán, in the latest case to put the spotlight on violence in Sinaloa. He was filming with two friends outside a fast food restaurant in Tres Ríos on Tuesday evening when two men on a motorbike pulled up and one shot him at close range.
Gastélum had more than half a million followers on TikTok and was best known for comedy videos. On Instagram, he also posted travel photos, nights out and images of himself posing with luxury cars. The attack happened in public view, during a live broadcast that captured the moments before he was killed.
Local media said the bright orange coats and bags worn by Gastélum and his friends, which were similar to delivery-driver gear, initially led police to believe the victim was a courier. Officials later identified him as Gastélum. Police and forensic experts have cordoned off the area and are examining cartridge casings and CCTV footage for leads.
No arrests have been made. The two people on the motorbike fled the scene, and it is still unclear whether Gastélum had received any threats before the shooting. That uncertainty is part of what makes the case especially troubling: a public killing can spread fear quickly, especially when it happens live on a platform built for instant sharing.
“Mexican influencer César Gastélum was killed while livestreaming on TikTok in Culiacán, as police investigate a motorbike attack.”
The killing is not the first time a Mexican social media figure has been murdered during a livestream. Last year, 23-year-old Valeria Márquez was shot dead at a beauty salon while broadcasting on TikTok. The pattern has drawn attention to the risks faced by online personalities in parts of Mexico where cartel-related violence has become harder to contain.
Gastélum’s death also comes against the backdrop of worsening violence in Sinaloa, where Culiacán serves as the capital. Bloodshed in the state has intensified since a split between two factions, Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, in September 2024. Another influencer, Leobardo Aispuro, known as El Gordo Peruci, was shot dead in December 2024, and police said that killing may have been tied to the cartel rivalry.
For Americans, the case is another reminder of how cartel violence in Mexico can spill into everyday public life and shape the security environment just south of the border. The immediate question is whether investigators can identify the gunman and whether this killing fits the broader cycle of violence unsettling Sinaloa.
Frequently asked questions
Who was César Gastélum?
He was a Mexican influencer with more than half a million Tiktok followers. He was known mainly for comedy videos and also shared travel and lifestyle posts on Instagram.
How did the shooting happen?
Gastélum was filming with two friends outside a fast food restaurant in Tres Ríos when two men on a motorbike approached. One of them shot him at close range.
Have police made any arrests?
No arrests have been made so far. Police and forensic experts are examining cartridge casings and CCTV footage for clues.
Why is this case drawing wider attention?
It follows other killings of social media figures in Mexico, including Valeria Márquez in 2024. It also comes as violence in Sinaloa has escalated amid a cartel faction feud.
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