Mexican TikTok Influencer Shot Dead During Live Stream

Mexican TikTok influencer César Gastélum was shot and killed while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on Tuesday.

Gastélum, who had more than 600,000 followers on TikTok, was reportedly approached by two helmeted individuals riding a motorcycle before he was shot. Authorities launched a major security operation following the killing.

Mexico’s Federal Security Cabinet says investigators are examining whether Gastélum’s social media activity may have played a role in the attack, noting that some of his posts referenced a faction of a criminal organization.

Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and other evidence in an effort to identify and arrest those responsible.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the killing on Wednesday, saying investigators must determine both who carried out the attack and whether anyone ordered it.

The killing comes amid continued violence in Sinaloa, where rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have been fighting for control since 2024.

Gastélum’s death also follows the May 2025 killing of beauty influencer Valeria Márquez, who was fatally shot while livestreaming from a salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.