César Gastélum, a popular Mexican influencer known for comedy videos, was shot dead on Wednesday while live streaming on social media in Culiacán, Sinaloa state. Gastélum, who had nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok, was filming with two friends outside a fast-food restaurant when a motorbike driver shot him at point-blank range.
A security official in Sinaloa confirmed Gastélum’s death and stated a major security operation is underway. Mexico's security cabinet announced on X that it is investigating several of Gastélum’s posts, some of which reportedly referenced a faction of a criminal group. Video surveillance footage and other evidence are being analysed to identify those responsible.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that authorities are investigating the killing to identify the perpetrator and uncover the motive. This incident marks the latest in a series of killings in Culiacán, which has seen at least 12 social media influencers murdered since September 2024, as factions of the Sinaloa cartel battle for control.