On August 5 (local time), César Gastélum, a TikTok personality known for his humorous videos, was shot and killed while livestreaming with two friends outside a fast-food outlet in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The trio were all wearing orange delivery worker jackets and backpacks.
Witnesses reported that a motorcycle carrying two people suddenly pulled up beside Gastélum's group. The passenger drew a gun and fired at close range before swiftly fleeing. A Sinaloa state security official confirmed Gastélum's death and said a manhunt for the suspects was underway.
Mexican authorities are investigating several of Gastélum's social media posts, including one referencing a faction of an organized crime group. President Claudia Sheinbaum said officials are working to identify the perpetrator and the motive behind the killing.
Culiacán has been a focal point of violence as factions of the Sinaloa cartel vie for control of the city since September 2024. Local media report that at least 12 social media influencers have been murdered in the city during that period.
Earlier, Mexican authorities arrested Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, a gang leader linked to the Jalisco New Generation cartel, in connection with the murder of TikToker Valeria Márquez last year. The suspect is also accused of orchestrating and financing the assassination of Uruapan's mayor, Carlos Manzo, in November 2025.
