TikTok influencer killed during livestream in Culiacan
Mexican TikTok star Cesar Gastelum was fatally shot while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant in Culiacan, Sinaloa, as authorities launch a security operation.
Cesar Gastelum, a Mexican TikTok creator with close to 600,000 followers, was killed on Tuesday while broadcasting live with friends outside a fast-food outlet in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa. According to a video of the livestream seen by Reuters, two helmeted individuals on a motorcycle approached the group and the rider opened fire, striking Gastelum.
A security official for Sinaloa confirmed the death and said a major security operation was underway in response to the incident. The shooting adds to a pattern of violence in the city, which has been a focal point for clashes between rival organized-crime groups.
The case follows the May 2025 killing of beauty influencer Valeria Marquez, who was also shot during a TikTok livestream in Zapopan, Jalisco. Mexican authorities have linked the earlier murder to a criminal cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and arrested its alleged leader, Ramon Angel Alvarez Ayala, in July.
Local law enforcement has not yet released details about the suspects or motives behind Gastelum’s killing.