Mexican social media influencer Cesar Gastelum has been killed in a shooting while livestreaming outside a fast food restaurant in Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa State.

According to the BBC, Gastélum was recording a video with two friends in the Tres Ríos district on Tuesday evening when two men arrived on a motorcycle and one of them opened fire at close range.

The content creator, who had more than 500,000 followers on TikTok, was widely known for posting comedy videos that attracted a large audience across Mexico.

Local media reported that Gastélum and his friends were wearing bright orange jackets and carrying bags commonly associated with delivery riders. Police initially believed the victim was a delivery worker before later confirming his identity.

Police launch investigation

Security personnel and forensic investigators sealed off the scene shortly after the shooting, examining spent cartridge casings and reviewing CCTV footage to identify the attackers.

The gunmen reportedly fled the area on the motorcycle immediately after the attack, and authorities had not announced any arrests at the time of reporting.

Investigators have also not disclosed a possible motive for the killing or whether Gastélum had received threats before he was attacked.

Connection to previous influencer killing

Gastélum frequently shared photos of his travels, social outings and luxury vehicles on Instagram.

One of his posts showed him visiting the graveside of fellow influencer Leobardo Aispuro, popularly known as “El Gordo Peruci,” who was shot dead in December 2024 in a case investigators believed could be linked to the rivalry between two factions of the Sinaloa cartel.

His death has renewed concerns over the growing risks faced by social media personalities in Mexico, where several influencers have been targeted in recent years.

Violence worsens in Sinaloa

Gastélum’s killing adds to a growing list of attacks on online content creators across the country.

In 2025, 23-year-old influencer Valeria Márquez was also shot dead while livestreaming from a beauty salon on TikTok, sparking widespread outrage.

The latest attack comes as violence continues to escalate in Sinaloa State, where rival Los Chapitos and La Mayiza factions of the Sinaloa cartel have been engaged in deadly clashes since September 2024, leaving hundreds dead and fuelling insecurity across the region.