César Gastélum, a Mexican influencer with over 500,000 followers, was shot dead while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in Tres Ríos, Culiacán. Two men on a motorbike approached and one fired at close range; they fled the scene and no arrests have been made. Police are examining cartridge casings and CCTV footage as investigators probe whether the killing is linked to wider cartel-related violence in Sinaloa.
Mexican Influencer César Gastélum Shot Dead While Livestreaming in Culiacán
Mexican influencer shot dead during livestream
César Gastélum, a Mexican social media influencer with more than half a million followers, was shot dead while livestreaming on an unspecified platform outside a fast-food restaurant in the Tres Ríos neighborhood of Culiacán on Tuesday evening.
According to local reports, Gastélum was filming with two friends when two men on a motorbike approached. One of the men fired at close range, striking Gastélum. The assailants fled the scene on the motorcycle and no arrests have been reported.
Investigation Under Way
Police and forensic teams cordoned off the area and are examining cartridge casings and CCTV footage for leads. Initial confusion over the victim’s identity reportedly stemmed from the bright orange coats and delivery-style bags the group was wearing during the livestream; those items led some first responders to suspect the victim was a delivery driver before officials were informed of his identity.
Online Presence and Context
Gastélum primarily posted comedy videos and had attracted a large following on TikTok. On Instagram he frequently shared photos of travel, nights out and posed beside luxury cars. One recent post showed him at the grave of Leobardo Aispuro, an influencer known as "El Gordo Peruci," who was shot dead in December 2024. Police said Aispuro’s killing may have been linked to a rivalry between two factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Wider Violence in Sinaloa
Violence in the state of Sinaloa — whose capital is Culiacán — has intensified since a split in September 2024 between two cartel factions known as Los Chapitos and La Mayiza. The killing of Gastélum follows other high-profile attacks on social media personalities in Mexico, including the livestreamed 2024 killing of 23-year-old Valeria Márquez.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
Authorities have not confirmed whether Gastélum had received prior threats or whether the attack was linked to organized crime. Forensics teams continue to review evidence and CCTV to establish a motive and identify the suspects.
Correction 5 August: This article has been amended to make clear that César Gastélum was livestreaming on an unspecified social media platform when he was shot, and not TikTok as originally reported.
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