Mexican Influencer Killed During Livestream

The update

Mexican social media influencer César Gastélum was shot dead while livestreaming in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa state. The incident occurred when two men on a motorcycle approached Gastélum and one of them shot him at close range before fleeing the scene. Gastélum was with two friends outside a fast food restaurant at the time of the attack.

Why it matters

The killing of Gastélum, who had more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, underscores the intersection of digital culture and organized crime in Mexico. The incident follows similar violence against social media personalities in the region, including the murder of influencer Valeria Márquez in May 2025 while she was livestreaming. Sinaloa state has experienced increased violence between rival cartel factions in recent years.

What to watch

Authorities are investigating whether Gastélum’s content, which sometimes referenced cartel culture, may have contributed to his death. The investigation will also examine potential connections to the ongoing violence between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacán. No arrests have been made in the case.

Sources

• aljazeera.com — details about the shooting and context about Sinaloa's cartel violence
• bbc.co.uk — information about Gastélum's social media presence and previous similar incidents
• nytimes.com — confirmation of the circumstances of the shooting