By Ihuoma Inyama

A Mexican social media influencer was shot dead while livestreaming outside a fast-food restaurant, in a brazen attack that has shocked followers and renewed concerns over the growing dangers faced by online personalities in the country.

The victim, identified as César Gastélum, was filming a live video with two friends in the city of Culiacán, Sinaloa, when two men arrived on a motorcycle. According to authorities, one of the assailants got off the bike and opened fire at close range before fleeing the scene with the driver. The attack was partially captured during the livestream.

Gastélum, who had nearly 600,000 followers on TikTok, was widely known for his comedy skits and light-hearted videos about everyday life in Sinaloa. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the shooting, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators have yet to establish a motive for the killing. However, authorities said some of the influencer’s online content is being examined as part of the investigation. No arrests have been announced.

The incident occurred in Culiacán, where violence linked to organised crime has intensified in recent years, raising concerns about the safety of content creators in the region.

Following the tragedy, fans flooded social media with tributes, remembering Gastélum for his humour and energetic personality while calling on authorities to bring those responsible to justice.