Mexican police arrest suspect in livestream killing of TikTok influencer

Mexican security officials announced Wednesday that they have arrested a suspect believed to have shot and killed TikTok influencer Cesar Gastelum during a live broadcast on August 4 in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa state. Gastelum, who had more than 500,000 followers, was dressed as a food-delivery worker and participating in a social-media challenge with two friends when a motorcycle stopped beside him and the driver opened fire, according to video of the livestream seen by Reuters.

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said the alleged shooter was located in the central state of Puebla and that police also detained a second individual during the operation. He reported that officers were attacked by three armed men, resulting in the death of one of the assailants. Three firearms, ammunition and vehicles were seized at the scene.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Gastelum’s death was connected to his online posts that referenced a faction of a criminal group, the security secretariat added. The incident occurs amid an ongoing conflict between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, which has left thousands dead or missing in the region.

Authorities noted that violence against social-media personalities has risen in recent years, citing several other influencer killings in Sinaloa, including the 2023 livestream murder of Valeria Marquez. Officials have linked some of those cases to cartel disputes and have previously arrested individuals suspected of involvement.

"The killing appears to be linked to the influencer's posts about a criminal faction," the security secretariat said.

The arrests come as President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration seeks to curb the wave of criminal violence that has plagued the northwestern state.