TikTok star Cesar Gastelum shot dead during livestream in Mexico

Mexican social media influencer Cesar Gastelum was shot and killed while livestreaming in Culiacan.

Mexican social media influencer Cesar Gastelum was shot and killed while livestreaming in Culiacan. The city sits in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, a region long troubled by unrest.

Gastelum had built a following of nearly 600,000 people on TikTok. He was known mainly for his comedy content and light-hearted videos. At the time of the attack, he was streaming live outside a fast-food restaurant with friends.

Footage from the livestream showed two helmeted individuals approaching on a motorcycle. The driver reportedly opened fire directly at Gastelum during the broadcast. The attack unfolded in real time as viewers watched the stream online.

A security official in Sinaloa confirmed Gastelum’s death shortly after the incident. Authorities said a major security operation was launched in response. Details about a possible motive have not yet been released publicly.

According to Reuters, the killing adds to a pattern of violence in the region. Culiacan, the state capital, has seen ongoing clashes between rival criminal groups. These factions have been fighting for territorial control across the city for some time.

Sinaloa has repeatedly made headlines in recent years over organised crime activity. The state is widely associated with one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels. Public killings and targeted attacks have periodically disrupted daily life in the region.

The incident has drawn comparisons to another high-profile case from last year. In May 2025, Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Marquez was killed in a similar way. She was shot while livestreaming from a salon in Zapopan, Jalisco.

Marquez, who was 23 at the time, was killed after a man entered the salon. Prosecutors said he opened fire before fleeing the scene afterward. Her case was later investigated using femicide protocols by local authorities.

Both cases have renewed concern over the safety risks facing content creators in Mexico. Livestreaming has increasingly placed influencers in vulnerable, exposed situations during public appearances. Digital rights groups have previously called for stronger protections for online creators.

Authorities have not indicated whether the two cases are connected in any way. Investigations into Gastelum’s death remain ongoing as officials gather further information. No arrests have been announced at this time.