TikTok star Cesar Gastelum killed during livestream in Culiacan
Mexican influencer Cesar Gastelum was shot dead while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacan, amid ongoing cartel violence in the city.
Mexican social-media personality Cesar Gastelum, who had close to 600,000 TikTok followers, was fatally shot on Tuesday while broadcasting live with friends outside a fast-food outlet in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa, authorities said.
According to video from the livestream, two helmeted individuals on a motorcycle approached the group and the rider opened fire, striking Gastelum. A security official from Sinaloa confirmed the death and indicated that a major security operation was underway in response.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of persistent violence in Culiacan, where rival organized-crime groups vie for territorial control. It follows the May 2025 killing of beauty influencer Valeria Marquez, who was also shot during a TikTok livestream in Zapopan, Jalisco.
In related developments, Mexican authorities recently arrested Ramon Angel Alvarez Ayala, identified by Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch as the leader of a cell linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.