A Mexican TikTok influencer has been shot dead while livestreaming with friends outside a fast food restaurant.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Cesar Gastelum, 23, was killed on Tuesday evening in the Tres Rios neighborhood of Culiacan, a city in northern Mexico.
According to reports, Gastelum was filming with two friends when two men on a motorcycle approached the group.
One of the suspects allegedly shot him at close range before fleeing the scene.
TikTok Influencer Shot Dead During Livestream
The two suspects escaped on the motorcycle, and authorities have not announced any arrests.
Police initially believed the victim was a food delivery driver because Gastelum and his friends were wearing bright orange jackets and delivery bags commonly used by couriers.
Investigators later confirmed the victim's identity as the popular social media influencer.
Local reports said police and forensic teams secured the scene while collecting cartridge casings and reviewing CCTV footage for evidence.
Authorities have not yet identified a motive or said whether Gastelum had received any threats before the shooting.
Investigation Continues After Influencer's Death
Gastélum had amassed nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok, where he was best known for posting comedy videos.
On Instagram, he had previously shared a post from the grave of fellow influencer Leobardo Aispuro, better known as "El Gordo Peruci."
Gunmen shot Aispuro dead in December 2024 in a case that investigators believed may have been connected to the ongoing conflict between rival factions of the Sinaloa cartel.
Since Los Chapitos and La Mayiza split in September 2024, violence has escalated across Sinaloa, with Culiacán emerging as one of the hardest-hit areas.
Local reports claim that at least 12 social media influencers have been killed in Culiacan in recent years.
Last year, 23-year-old Valeria Marquez was also shot dead while livestreaming from a beauty salon on TikTok.
A security official in Sinaloa confirmed that authorities launched a major operation following Gastélum's killing.
Mexico's security cabinet said on X that investigators were reviewing several of Gastelum's social media posts, "some of which referred to a faction of a criminal group".
Officials added that they are analyzing surveillance footage and other evidence as they work to identify and apprehend those responsible.
